No 2

(Forgiveness)

It goes without saying how forgivness is crutial to the Body of Christ. The Lord forgave us of our sins; who are we not to forgive others? The Apostle Peter himself didn't know how to forgive when he asked Jesus; "Must I forgive seven times, Lord"? "No", said Jesus, "You must forgive 490 times" (Matt 18:21, 22).

Sometimes, forgiveness is liberating. Let me explain. Let's pretend that a person was offended by one of the deacons during a meeting and felt very hurt. Weeks go by and the deacon still hasn't made a move, even though the deacon knows he had done wrong. The offended person, all this time grew bitter and carried a heaviness in his heart. He should go up to the deacon and ask for forgiveness for having had a bitterness toward him. There's the liberating part!! The offended person removes a load off of his or her shoulders and the deacon, Lord willing, will see his or her offense and apologize to the offended person. Romans 12:18: "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men".

How many times must we forgive???....As many times as it takes.