“The measure of love is to love without measure.” St. Francis de Sales
We are once again being called to love and to forgive, but this time we’re reminded we can’t keep score.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Do as I say, not as I do”?
The last line of this passage reminds me a bit of that phrase.
“Forgive not because they deserve it, but because Christ calls you to.”
Matthew 18:21-22 – Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to 7 times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you up to 7 times, but up to 70 times seven.”
That’s a lot of forgiveness!
Truth be told, I’m not especially proud to admit there have been times I used the phrase ‘do as I say not as I do’ with my own kids.
Sometimes it was tongue in cheek and sometimes it was likely in response to questions I wasn’t ready to, or in the mood to answer.
The difference between the phrase and what Jesus calls us to do in this passage, is that He does exactly what he’s supposed to do.
What He says and what He does…match.
He is not asking us to do something he hasn’t done himself.
To forgive without limits.
He perfectly models the behavior he wants to see in us.
I can almost hear Jesus saying, “Do as I say AND as I do”.
The question is…are we up to the task?
Heavenly Father, grant me a heart like Yours. When I feel hurt, replace my bitterness with Your limitless mercy. Help me to let go and forgive without limits, just as I have been forgiven. Amen.
