Answers

By   •   February 4, 2010   •   Topics:

Q:

I know you've often said that we need to forgive those who hurt us, but what if it doesn't do any good and they just keep hurting you? No matter what I say, this person keeps doing the same hurtful things to me. How much should I put up with?


A:

Forgiving someone who has hurt us isn’t easy — and it’s even harder when they ignore our efforts to bridge the gap between us by forgiving them. But that doesn’t mean we should give up and quit trying — not at all.

One of Jesus’ disciples must have had the same problem you do, because on one occasion he asked Jesus how often he was expected to forgive someone who had hurt him. Perhaps he thought he’d impress Jesus by showing how merciful he was, because he suggested that instead of forgiving them only once or twice, wouldn’t it be good to forgive them up to seven times? But Jesus replied, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” — in other words, without limit (Matthew 18:22).

After all, this is how God offers to forgive us — freely and without limit, in spite of the way we ignore Him and disobey Him. He does this because He loves us, and we know this because Jesus Christ was willing to give His life for us. The Bible says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

Open your heart and life to Jesus Christ, and then ask Him to help you forgive others just as He has forgiven you — freely and without limit. Then pray for this person, and urge them to turn to Christ for the forgiveness and new life they need.