7 times

In Matthew 18, Peter asks the Lord how many times he should forgive his brother. The setting is Galilee, and Peter is the Lord's loyal disciple. In fact, Peter's great confession of Jesus as the Christ and Son of God is only two chapters back. But Peter, like many of us, wants to reduce the Christian life to a check list of virtues and rules.

"I have forgiven my brother 7 times. I am a good Christian."

Jesus, instead of encouraging Peter's list making, gave a resounding "No!" in the form of a parable. The problem with lists is the satisfaction that comes from knowing we followed them. We forget that it is really by God's grace and strength we succeed from day to day. We can't outgrow our need for God.

The Pharisees, Jesus enemies, tried very nearly the same trick in Matthew 19. This was in Judea after Jesus had left Galilee. But the same problem is in all men's hearts. They wanted Jesus opinion of divorce. They wanted to have a list to know when someone could divorce his wife. Jesus avoids their question and points to a higher principle. In fact, He points to Genesis' first marriage and to God the founder of marriage.

Jesus answer for us anytime we are about to make a list is to set our sights higher. It isn't enough not to commit physical adultery, we can't even do it in our hearts. If we are angry, we better not let it control us, because it isn't enough not to commit physical murder, we can't even do it in our imagination. We can't follow a list and be satisfied that we are accruing credit with God. All credit goes to God who is the sole redeemer and giver of the gift of grace to those who do not and cannot deserve it.