“Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him (Luke 17:3-4).”
If there is genuine repentance, then we are to forgive, keeping in mind our own weaknesses and having mercy on others as the Lord has forgiven us. If the Lord expects this from us, how much more patient and forgiving is the Lord toward us?
I think this is a strong rebuke for those who teach that if you struggle with sin you are not saved. The Lord makes it clear that Christians will struggle with sin at times. Repent from a sincere heart, fight against the old nature and pray for strength and victory, and the Lord will forgive you as often as you need. Thank you for your immeasurable patience and kindness toward us, Jesus. Strengthen us by your Holy Spirit to live holy lives inside and out, and change these old, sinful bodies into glorious bodies like your own.
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