Daily Devotional

I heard that parking passes for last week's Taylor Swift concert were going for as much as $800 online! While I certainly don't identify as a “Swiftie”, Forbes declares that more than half of the US adult population say they're Taylor Swift fans. Again, not a fan per se but understand that some of her music just relates to her audience. For example, she has a song called "Bad Blood", a thing that most people know and have tasted at some point. You know when you have someone who you thought was really close to you and seemingly out of nowhere, they stab you in the back and everything changes? Just look at some of these lyrics and ask yourself if you've been there before: “Now we've got bad blood. You know it used to be mad love.” “Now we've got problems and I don't think we can solve them.” “Band-Aids don't fix bullet holes, you say sorry just for show..."

Those lyrics are pretty heavy, but the truth is if we've been in situations like these it does feel like they can be hopeless. As if it's not possible to repair the damage that has been done. Yet the solution to bad blood is forgiveness. It's simple but it's not easy. When Peter asks the question, “How many times are we supposed to forgive,” he's really asking, “What's the limit on how many times?” Like, “Lord I get that we’re supposed to love and forgive but when is it ok to stop loving and start hating again?” I’m being a little facetious but that’s what I would be thinking in my heart as I ask Jesus that question. And yet, what is the master's response? Essentially, He says that we should constantly forgive. He says that there is no numerical limit to our forgiveness.

Here’s the perspective we should keep in mind. Can we truly imagine not forgiving someone considering our understanding of everything that Christ forgave us for?  I think Scripture is clear and shows us how seriously God takes forgiveness. It encourages us and yet challenges us that no matter how often we are wronged it is our job to forgive as people who have been forgiven so much. Ephesians 4:32 reminds us that the call is not to forgive not as our pastor forgives. And it’s not to forgive as other individuals forgive us. But the call rather is to forgive as Christ forgave us. Again, it's simple but it's not easy. May the indwelling Holy Spirit help us today in those difficult times and relationships so that we may reflect the love, mercy, and forgiveness that our Heavenly Father has shown us.

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.