Why the 7x70 Principle Will Change Your Life
Jesus taught Peter to forgive others 7x70 or 490-plus times in a day (Mathew 18:21-22).
Jesus didn’t tell Peter to only forgive others if they ask for forgiveness but to give it to them anyway.
While those who hurt and offend us may not receive or accept our forgiveness, it keeps our hearts from getting bitter and resentful. Forgiveness can restore a relationship, but equally important, is its ability to protect your heart from the damage and pain those offenses can cause.
I find two fascinating, undeniable facts about Jesus’ instructions to Peter in relation to forgiveness that I think most people overlook.
1.
Peter recognized he was unable to forgive to the degree Jesus required him to
2.
God isn’t a hypocrite. He would never ask us to forgive those who sin against us, 7x70 a day and not forgive us to the same degree.
Peter would discover through personal experience that the power or ability to forgive someone 490-plus times in a day would come from understanding how God had forgiven him in the same way. People who experience this type of divine forgiveness are empowered to forgive others as they have been forgiven. The truth is God’s forgiveness isn’t something you have to earn or even ask for. His forgiveness is something He has already provided.
Forgiveness is received!
In the book of Acts, when the apostles preached the gospel, they told people to receive God’s forgiveness for them. They did not place any conditions on getting forgiven by God other than just receiving it. In fact, Jesus instructed Paul to tell people to receive their forgiveness, not ask for it.
“To open their eyes,
and
to turn
them
from darkness to light, and
from
the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18).
This sounds controversial because many believe God only forgives those who ask for it or repent first to earn the right to be forgiven. But if that is how forgiveness is obtained, why did Jesus teach Peter to forgive 490-plus times, even if the offenders don’t ask to be forgiven? Jesus was teaching Peter how God forgives us. Asking to be forgiven and being forgiven are two different things. If you believe you are only forgiven when you ask for forgiveness, it assumes God hasn’t forgiven you. Rather, He is holding your sin or sins against you until you ask Him for forgiveness. When you receive His forgiveness, you understand that God isn’t holding your sin or sins against you. Instead, He desires you to experience His forgiveness and live in the reality of it.
“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 8:12).
“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not holding their sins against them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19).
“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities” (Psalm 103:10).
