In the previous lesson, we learned about the importance of being gospel-centered people. The good news of Christ’s finished work on the cross, and His resurrection can empower us to move forward in love and reconciliation without growing weary. It is the gospel that gives us the grace to say “no” to responding to our husband’s sin struggle in an ungodly way and instead to respond with Jesus’ love.
We also studied Jesus’ counsel from Matthew 18 regarding dealing with a sinning brother or sister in Christ. We first need to talk with our spouse, and if they hear us, then we forgive them and work toward growing in grace together.
But if our spouse does not listen, we are to involve one or two other Christians who will work with us to encourage our spouse toward repentance. If our spouse still does not listen, we should go to our church leaders who will help us take the matter to the church. The church will encourage our spouse toward repentance, unite with us in prayer for the restoration of our marriage, and help us to respond to our situation in a gospel-focused way so that God will be glorified through it all.
Today, we will continue sitting at the feet of Jesus in Matthew 18, and we’ll learn what He has to teach us about forgiveness and the reason we give it. Look with me now at Matthew 18:21-22:
“Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
In light of Jesus’ instruction on how to respond to a brother or sister who sins against us, Peter’s question is logical. Basically, Peter says to Jesus what all the disciples are thinking, “I understand I should forgive my brother, but how many times must I forgive?” And notice how Peter even suggests a number that he thinks is generous—seven.
By nature, we are all like Peter; we want to set limits on forgiveness that seem reasonable to us. We fear being taken advantage of, being seen as foolish, or that forgiveness will cause the offender to think what he did is okay. But, as we will see in our lesson today, this way of thinking flows from a wrong perspective and understanding.
To be clear, Christ is not saying that we forgive a specific number of times, and then we are done. He is teaching that forgiveness is to be given as often as necessary.
Question 2. How are you doing with forgiving your spouse for their sins against you? Please share.
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