Matthew 18:15-22 KJV Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. (16) But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (17) And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. (18) Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (19) Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. (20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (21) Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? (22) Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

According to the rabbinical rules of forgiveness, forgiveness of someone should not be extended more than three times. In addition to this, even if full restoration was made, forgiveness could not be obtained unless the wrongdoer requested it of the victim and was pardoned. In Peter’s case, going beyond the standard three was an act of liberality in forgiveness, but in order to illustrate that limitations on forgiveness should never be numbered, Jesus responded with a number demonstrating that forgiveness is based upon the quality of grace extended, not the quantity of times it is granted.

This series examines the level of forgiveness that you're willing to grant people and helps you confirm whether you have truly dealt with people with the same level of mercy that God has extended to you.

Part 1 addresses the following:

• What is the purpose of forgiveness?
• You don't have to advertise how someone wronged you.