490 Times?

Mercy triumphs over judgment — that’s what the Word of God says. And if we’re honest, every one of us here needs mercy. We’ve needed it before, we’ll need it again before the day’s over. If it weren’t for the mercy and compassion of God, where would we be? Utterly consumed. Gone. Done for. But His mercies are new every single morning.

That means every sunrise brings with it a fresh outpouring of God’s forgiveness and compassion — not because we deserve it, but because He’s merciful. We receive from Him mercy, and likewise, He calls us to give to others what He’s given to us. “Blessed are the merciful,” Jesus said, “for they shall obtain mercy.”

So here’s the question today: Are we becoming more merciful, or are we becoming hard-hearted?

We are called to be tender-hearted, having hearts of compassion — not quick to anger, not quick to criticize. And the only way that happens is when we realize how much mercy God has already given us just to keep us in fellowship with Him. If God didn’t continuously pour out mercy, none of us could get near Him. The only reason we can come into His presence at all is because of His mercy.

And I wonder sometimes — are we, as a church, really ready to face that truth? Because mercy isn’t about how we feel; it’s about who God is. We can’t give people what they deserve and still claim to be like Jesus. Nor can we give them what they give us — that’s just human nature. No, we’re called to take on the character of Christ.

All the hallelujahs and praise-the-Lords don’t mean much unless we’re walking the walk and showing the fruit of the Spirit.

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There are many issues facing the church today, but I’ll tell you one of the greatest practical challenges we face: judgmentalism. Right behind it come its traveling companions — accusations, gossip, slander, and faultfinding. Those aren’t fruits of the Spirit. They come from another source entirely.

Satan knows exactly what he’s doing. He knows that a house divided cannot stand. He knows that division weakens our witness and cripples our power.

And it starts with little things — rejection, bitterness, impatience, unforgiveness. When these things are nurtured in a congregation, the result will always be the same: division.

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In Matthew 24, Jesus warned that in the last days many — not a few, many — will be offended. Love will grow cold. Faith works by love, and when love grows cold, faith stops working. You can’t walk in faith when your heart is frozen with offense.

How many people today are trying to live a life of faith while quietly nursing grudges? Trying to pray big prayers while holding on to small wounds? It doesn’t work. Bitterness and faith cannot live in the same heart.

So let’s take inventory. Are you mad at somebody? Just a little? Irritated at someone in the pew across the aisle? Carrying a silent wall toward someone at work, or even in your family?

The devil knows where those cracks are. And so does God. But the good news is — God’s mercy can fill every crack if we let Him.

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Here’s the truth: There are no perfect people. None. Not a one in this room. And if we’re going to have healthy relationships — in our homes, in our friendships, or in the church — we have to get really good at forgiveness.

Forgiveness cannot be a one-time event. It has to become a lifestyle.

Jesus keeps forgiving us. Every day we live, He keeps covering, cleansing, and restoring. There’s no relationship with Jesus without ongoing forgiveness. The same is true in our relationships with each other.

You might say, “But people offend me!” Of course they do. They’re people! And we offend them too — half the time without even realizing it. Everyone’s walking around slightly wounded and not always sure why.

So forgiveness has to be immediate, instinctive, ready. The Bible says, “Resist the devil at the onset.” The minute you feel offense beginning to grow — that little irritation, that flare of anger, that hurt feeling — stop it right there. Nip it in the bud.

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Let’s be honest: How many of you have had the opportunity to be offended this past week? (I’d probably see every hand go up.) How about today? Maybe even this morning before church?

There are folks offended at the pastor, offended at the conference, offended at their spouse, their parents, their kids. We are letting little offenses divide God’s people — and if we can’t handle the little ones, how will we stand when the real test comes?

That’s why today’s message is titled “490 Times?”

Because Peter came to Jesus one day and said, “Lord, how often shall I forgive my brother? Seven times?”