490 times! That’s how many! He didn’t say estimate how many times or ABOUT how many times should I forgive them Lord. Out of frustration with the people, Peter wanted to know the EXACT number of times he had to forgive.

🗣What is the magic number I should stop at Lord!?!? These are your people and I’m sick of them. (I’m speaking for Nakia now). What is that number? Meaning, they have crossed me 3 times already and I’ve let that mess slide. Can I stop forgiving now??? So the very next time they do something, I wanna know if I have the right to bust them upside the head. Will I have the right then to stop speaking to them? Can I kick them out of my house then, out of my circle of friends, out of the family, out of my life??? Surely once they’ve reached the 5th time, I can be done with them Lord.

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Wait a minute!

490 times? I have to forgive them 490 times m? Well sir, I’ve never disagreed with you, like not to your face, but how can that be so? That’s a lot of counting and keeping track, Lord.

You mean to tell me, after they lied on me, I must forgive them? I did nothing to them and they ran my name through the mud; and I must forgive? They talked about me. They stabbed me in my back. Stole from me. Sabotaged my chance at the promotion. Pointed me in the wrong direction. And all I can do is forgive? That doesn’t seem fair Lord!

When I really sit down and think about it, I know I’ve done some things over my life that God wasn’t in favor of. Things He disapproved of. Yet He still forgave me. The bad thoughts and tendencies that I wanted to execute but I didn’t. The times I fornicated. The times I talked about people behind their backs. The times I gossiped. I’m not a liar but I’m sure I’ve lied a couple of times over my almost 40 years.

You can take that look off of your face. I’m not by myself. You’ve done some things too! Remember ALL those times you disobeyed your parents? I don’t know you; but, I can guarantee you we have disobedience in common. Nah. (Sticks tongue out) Smile.

I know it’s hard. I know they hurt you. But you have to forgive them sis. You can’t hold a grudge. Can’t hold all those feelings in. Resentment is a horrible way to live. It does nothing for our livelihood not our stress levels. And you can’t mistreat the innocent because of what someone else did to you.

I realize they disrespected you brother and that wasn’t the first time. Listen, I get it. But you gotta let it go. It’s not only hurtful for you, it’s damaging those around you. You can’t go to mama’s house anymore because they will be there. Your wife and kids even feel uncomfortable.

You can’t live like this! For you, you gotta let it go. Not for them! Forget them! Forgive them for you. And if you can’t even do it for yourself, take this as a charge to do it for God…because he has forgiven you over and over again. God has forgiven us 100 times 7! Be real, He has forgiven us our entire lives!

Can you do it for Him? For God?

Thanks for your attention. Remember you are your own competition.

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