WholeHearted Forgiveness

~~~ Daniel 3:25, 34-43 ~~~ Psalm 25 ~~~ Matthew 18: 21-38 ~~~

Forgiveness must come from the heart.

It cannot endure unless it comes from the center 

of your being deep inside.

Peter must have been feeling pretty smug 

thinking if he forgave seven times that was doing well.

The look on his face probably gave away his surprise when Jesus

responded that he should forgive seventy times.

Seventy times is way more than seven.

The point perhaps is we must continue to forgive there is no limit.

Would we want God to be keeping track of how many times 

we must ask for his forgiveness?

I am guessing your answer is 'NO'.

Forgiveness cannot be measured by any of our conventional measures.

Jesus has given us examples of forgiveness time after time.

He must present forgiveness in as many possible ways as he can.

Forgiveness as God wants us to forgive is not easy.

It takes great humility to forgive as God forgives us.

We say this every time we pray the Our Father...

forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

The Prophet Daniel prays with a humble and contrite heart.

'Do not take away your mercy from us...
...with contrite heart and humble spirit
let us be received...
...we follow you with our whole heart,
we fear you and we pray to you...
...deal with us in your kindness and great mercy...'

Calling on God and his heart of mercy
Daniel presents himself humbly before God.

I invite you take these phrases from the Prophet Daniel;
  pray them from your heart.
If we follow him with our whole heart
our depth of forgiveness should
be of the same sincerity and intensity.

Peter is such a wonderful example of we as humans.
Forgiving seven times may be a lot for some people,
but we are called to a higher standard.
A standard worthy of our calling to be holy.
Forgiveness takes a lifetime of practice.
Luckily we are constantly being presented
with opportunities to practice.

Just remember that forgiveness must come from the heart.
It is not a superficial practice.
If you put the frozen dinner in the microwave for three minutes
you are not a gourmet chef.
Surprise!