Week 36 Let all Your Troubles Fall Away 
Mt 18:15-35  

All year we have been learning of the light and true love of our infinitely complete Father, in whose image we are made. Now we will consider the thing that blocks our sight of this truth and the means of removing the block.
                                         The ‘thing’ is unforgiveness.

The word that we translate as ‘forgive’ really means ‘to let go.’ 
                                                  aphiēmi- let go

By letting go of the plank of offense, we remove the blind spot so we are free to see God’s real purpose and heart in any situation.

“Forgiveness isn’t about absolving another of their crime, rather it is letting go of the offense you embraced when that crime was committed against you… If you are complete, nothing can truly threaten you. There is no longer any need to pretend you aren’t already safe, complete, and risen in Jesus. As such, you are no longer a victim.” (The Forgotten Way, Dekker, p.193)

See how Jesus answers Peter in Matthew 18:21 & 22.
“Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but 70 times 7!”
Matthew 18:21-22 NLT

If you have a different version, this might read 77 times, or if you’re reading in Luke, Jesus says seven times a day. So should you forgive 7×70, 77 or seven times a day? It’s not about the number at all; Jesus’ intent is to forgive countless numbers of times, to keep no record of wrongs. Remember 1Corinthians 13?

We let our troubles fall away when we let go of our offense and unforgiveness.