Matthew 18:21-22 (NKJV) Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Whenever we seek to reestablish relationships with people who have sinned against us, we know that God can empathise with us because humanity has sinned against Him. God has used the principle advocated in these verses to restore His relationship with us. Therefore, we must do the same with those who have sinned against us.
Though challenging, love, humility, and forgiveness are the cornerstones of our Christian walk. By actively practising them, we will grow from spiritual infancy to maturity. In doing so, we will become more Christlike, and people will know we are Christ’s disciples.
First, we need to know that we all have shortcomings, make mistakes and sin. John 8:1-11 records Jesus asking those who want to stone the adulterous woman to cast the first stone if any of them had never sinned in their lives. Yet no one dared to admit that they had not sinned. Therefore, we should learn not to be quick in pointing fingers at the speck in other people’s eyes, criticising and accusing without realising that there is a massive log in our own eyes (Matthew 7:4). We must bear in mind that we are all fallen beings. We can also be easily offended if we are not careful with ourselves.
Second, the devil is at work and will play into our emotions and the work of the flesh because he is the master of stealing, killing, and destroying relationships (John 10:10). The devil does not fear that anyone is gifted, talented, and anointed because if that person lacks the character to carry the anointing, gifts, and talents, their downfall is imminent. The devil is crafty and plays into our emotions by casting doubts in our minds. Therefore, we must watch out for his scheme to divide and conquer within the family, cell group, church, and any other Christian organisation. We do not fight against flesh and blood but against principalities, power, dominion, and might (Ephesians 6:12).
We need to be exceptionally watchful whenever we set out to build a strong family, a church, or anything that will glorify God through our lives. The devil and his cohorts will try to drive wedges between us because they know that much can be done and achieved if we unite in love and purpose. He will seek to destroy us using our character flaws through different situations and complex relationships. Therefore, we must have the humility and wisdom to deal with an offence in God’s way, bring closure and reestablish relationships.
Sermon Series：What Is Seventy Times Seven Times?
重建关系
马太福音 18:21-22 那时，彼得进前来，对耶稣说：“主啊，我弟兄得罪我，我当饶恕他几次呢？到七次可以吗？”耶稣说：“我对你说，不是到七次，乃是到七十个七次。“
每当我们试图与那些得罪我们的人重建关系时，我们知道上帝可以与我们感同身受，因为人类已经得罪了祂。上帝已经使用这些经文中所主张的原则来恢复祂与我们的关系。因此，我们需要对那些得罪我们的人做同样的事。
虽然有挑战，但爱、谦卑和宽恕是我们基督徒生命的房角石。通过积极地实践这些品行，我们将从属灵上的婴孩到长大成人。这样，我们将变得更像基督，人们就会知道我们是基督的门徒。
首先，我们需要知道我们都有缺点，会犯错误和犯罪。约翰福音 8:1-11 记录了耶稣问那些想要用石头打死犯奸淫的妇人，如果他们中间有一生中没有犯过罪的，就可以先扔石头。然而，没有人敢承认自己没有犯过罪。因此，我们应该学会不要轻易地指责他人眼中的刺，一味批评和指责却没有意识到我们自己眼中有个不容忽视的梁木（马太福音 7:4）。我们必须牢记，我们都是堕落的人。如果我们不小心，我们也很容易被冒犯。
其次，魔鬼正在作工，牠会利用我们的感情和情欲，因为牠是偷窃、杀害和毁坏关系的主人（约翰福音 10:10）。魔鬼并不害怕任何人有才华、有天赋和有恩膏，因为如果那个人缺乏承担恩膏、天赋和才能的品格，他们很快就会堕落。魔鬼很狡猾，会通过在我们心中播撒怀疑的种子来利用我们的感情。因此，我们必须提防牠在家庭、小组、教会以及任何其他基督教组织制造分裂和征服的计谋。我们不是与属血气的争战，乃是与那些执政的。掌权的、有权势的和黑暗势力争战（以弗所书 6:12）。
每当我们开始建立一个强有力的家庭、教会或任何通过我们的生命来荣耀上帝的事物时，我们都需要格外小心。魔鬼和祂的同伙会试图在我们之间制造隔阂，因为牠们知道，如果我们在爱和共同目标中团结一致时，就可以做很多事情，也可以取得很多成就。牠会试图利用我们的性格缺陷，通过不同的环境和复杂的关系来毁灭我们。因此，我们必须谦卑和有智慧的以上帝的方式处理冒犯，从中释然并重建关系。
讲章系列：七十个七次的意义
Image Source: pixabay.com