Counsels on Relationships

Counsel #10 — 70 X 7

Picture: Counsel #10 — 70 x 7 CR 166.1

Jesus radically transformed the human understanding of forgiveness in His Sermon on the Mount. When He instructed His disciples to forgive “seventy times seven times,” He wasn’t merely suggesting a lofty moral standard; He was revealing the limitless nature of God’s grace. This extraordinary command stands in stark contrast to the prevailing Jewish custom of forgiving only three times. Peter, believing he was being exceptionally generous, suggested seven times, a number signifying perfection. Yet, Jesus elevated the bar infinitely higher, emphasizing that your capacity to forgive should know no bounds. This revolutionary teaching underscores heaven’s command to mirror God's boundless love and mercy in your interactions with others.^[163] CR 166.2

“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.’” Matthew 18:22 NKJV CR 166.3

“The rabbis limited the exercise of forgiveness to three offenses. Peter, carrying out, as he supposed, the teaching of Christ, thought to extend it to seven, the number signifying perfection. But Christ taught that we are never to become weary of forgiving. Not ‘Until seven times,’ He said, ‘but, Until seventy times seven.’” Ellen White in Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 243 CR 166.4

Reflect: How can you seek the Holy Spirit's help to overcome bitterness and resentment? CR 166.5