Did you know that in the Bible the number 7 is the number of perfection? It is. So is the number 70.
That’s why Jesus commanded us to forgive those who’ve sinned against us. Not once. Not twice. But 70 x 7 (Matthew 18:21-22).
Does that mean that on the 491st time we’ve been sinned against that vengeance is ours to take? And we can now retaliate? Of course not!
Jesus used perfect numbers to teach us perfect love. A love that understands how much he has forgiven us. How much he continues to forgive us. Repeatedly. Over and over and over again.
Subsequently, we are to forgive those who have hurt us repeatedly. With Jesus’s perfect forgiving love, given to us. Over and over again.
When a memory enters our mind of that time we were hurt, and we want to take personal vengeance, we don’t. Instead, we choose to forgive. Again. And again. And again.
Eventually, Jesus’s love will conquer the hurt and hatred in our hearts.
Love conquers hate. It always does.
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