One Time Too Many?

Sometimes it is hard to forgive.

Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. - Matthew 18:21-22

 Maybe Peter should have asked the question differently.

Should I still forgive someone who continues to do wrong by me?  Or maybe this: When is enough enough?

The assumption here is that the person seeking forgiveness is truly remorseful, right?

But how do you know they are not just taking advantage?

Jesus follows up with the parable of the talents, where the one who didn't do the will of the master was punished and the others who did the will were rewarded.

So, what is the Father's will in the case of one who repeatedly seeks forgiveness, but fails to change his ways?

You could argue that one who abuses the relationship doesn't deserve forgiveness, since the remorse  cannot be true.  But maybe Jesus knows something we don't about human nature.  Maybe it is a matter of wearing down the competition.

If my willingness to forgive is greater than your desire to take advantage, eventually you might give up?

I don't know.  At some point, the ego gets in the way and we stop being played.

That's what sets us apart from God.  He doesn't give up on us, even when we are being fools.

More to come...