Forgiveness

Forgiveness equals renewal

But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. Psalm 130:4

Failure and forgiveness. How many times must we forgive our neighbor and ourselves? Seven times? Jesus said more than that: seventy-seven times. Perhaps this is an illustration of forgiveness beyond the mere act. It is to recognize that we are dependent not on ourselves, but on God. We cannot see into the heart of another but God can. He does not condemn; we condemn ourselves when we don't forgive because instead of following forgiveness with actions we continue to behave in the same old way. Jesus also said to go and sin no more. When we fully engage with Christ and his message to us we take forgiveness to another level and begin to live according to his example. We become renewed.