Matthew 18:21-22
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Isn’t that just like us? Seven times seems like a reasonable number to forgive someone. By that point, our patience might be wearing thin. We might be wondering why we put up with this person and what their problem is. Perhaps we might even consider casting them aside since they just can’t seem to get anything right. We might start to feel like we’re being taken advantage of. When that eighth time rolls around, has our heart been hardened? Will we refuse to forgive one more time?

Perhaps we should count the first seven times we sinned against God and ask ourselves if we deserved forgiveness that eighth time, as well. Isn’t God’s mercy great? Hasn’t He forgiven us every time? Well, He’s God, we might say. Of course He’ll forgive. But why shouldn’t we do the same? Aren’t we to be conformed to His image? Aren’t we to be like Christ? Forgiving others isn’t just a nice gesture or a sign of a generous heart; it is obedience to a command from God. It’s how God treats us and how we want to be treated. Forgiveness is at the heart of our relationship with Jesus, and that should tell us how important it is to have that spirit of forgiveness with others.

Jesus expects more from us than we would think to give. He was constantly trying to show His disciples—and us—new ways of thinking and reacting and acting. We need to try to break out of our small way of thinking and realize the magnitude of the holiness of God and striving for that in our lives. Jesus admonishes us to forgive seventy times seven times, to give to anyone who asks to borrow something, to go two miles instead of one, to give to those who can’t return the favor. In fact, He asks us to spend our lives on others.

When we hurt someone else, we appreciate it when they forgive us. And what a blessing that God so completely forgives our sins when we mess up over and over again through the course of a lifetime. So let’s not be stingy with forgiveness. Let’s try to look at things more from God’s perspective and not our own. Let’s emulate His mercy and kindness. It’s one way we can show love not only to our brethren in Christ, but also to a watching world of sinners who need a relationship with Jesus.