Refined - Finding Joy in the Midst of the FireSample

It was a well-established fact that “seven” was the perfect number; therefore, in this scripture, Peter knew that forgiving someone seven times would show a perfect heart. But Jesus wasn’t impressed. He is rarely impressed with our human suggestions or opinions. Jesus challenged Peter and said, “Nope. Not seven times. How about seventy times seven, Peter? Can you do that?” Jesus was not suggesting that it was in Peter’s best interest to forgive someone 490 heartfelt times. The phrase “seventy times seven” did not equal 490, but it literally meant “times without number.” Jesus told Peter that no matter how many times you have forgiven someone, you should do it one more time. Peter was being challenged, by the Lord of the universe, to forgive times without number. Christ is speaking to your heart today with words of blessing and encouragement: “It is time for you to forgive to infinity and beyond!” No matter how difficult, cruel, or abusive people have acted toward you, Christ calls you to act like Him and become a person of pure-gold value. I believe that the Lord actually allows difficult people into our lives for a reason—it is part of the defining and refining fire that allows an individual to become pure gold. Christ will never leave you in the pure-gold process, nor will He expect you to do anything that He Himself has not already done. Jesus will carefully watch you as the impurities are burned out of your life, while you are in the fire that has been ignited by difficult people. His goal is to see Himself in you. Your goal is to respond like He would respond. When you choose to forgive a demanding and contentious person, you are acting just like your Dad, and you will be recognized as a son or daughter of the greatest Forgiver of all eternity! He will be seen in you! You have become like Him! Your life is now defined by the lovely promise that you have become a grace place of pure-gold value. Why is it that we seem to place great value on stating opinions, demanding our own way, and trampling over other people’s feelings? The value system of Earth and the value system of Heaven are mutually exclusive. Heaven’s repository is a place where pure-gold decisions are made based upon grace. Will you value what Heaven values?