What About the 491st Time?
Scripture Reading
“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.’”
— Matthew 18:21–22 (ESV)
Jesus tells us to forgive our enemies seventy times seven (490 times). But what happens on the 491st time? What about the person who seems to never stop contending, who is always looking for a fight? How do we justify turning the other cheek again, and again, and again?
First, we need to remember: Jesus was not giving us a mathematical formula. He wasn’t prescribing a limit of 490 and no more. His point was that forgiveness is not to be counted—it’s to be lived. Forgiveness is not natural to us, but it is the very nature of Jesus.
And what is His nature?
It is love and forgiveness. It is gentle correction, not harshness or hate. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32).
Forgiveness is not only for the other person. It’s also for us. Holding on to bitterness, anger, and grudges eats away at our own hearts. Eventually, it poisons our relationships. How can we expect to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and yet cling to hate at the same time?
Jesus reminds us that “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.” (Matthew 12:25). If the Spirit of God dwells in us, we must make room by releasing bitterness.
But this is not easy. Some people make forgiveness feel impossible. Proverbs warns us: “It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.” (Proverbs 21:9). Scripture is honest—relationships can be hard.
That’s why the Bible reminds us: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12). The battle is not just with difficult people—it is spiritual.
So how do we fight? Prayer. Fasting. Speaking the name of Jesus. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7). Where unforgiveness holds ground in your heart, the Holy Spirit cannot fully reign. God is not a God of chaos, strife, or anger—He is a God of love, peace, and order (1 Corinthians 14:33).
Sometimes we need to literally speak it out loud: “In the name of Jesus, I release this anger. In the name of Jesus, I forgive.” Demons tremble at His name. Chains are broken at His name. And one of the greatest chains He breaks is the chain of unforgiveness.
So who do you need to forgive today? Yourself? A spouse? An ex? A parent, child, neighbor, or coworker? Jesus said: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34).
Love cannot exist where unforgiveness reigns. If you want peace, if you want joy, if you want to be filled with the Spirit, you must forgive. Not once, not twice, not 490 times—but as often as it takes.
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You have forgiven me far more than I deserve.
Teach me to forgive others as You have forgiven me.
Release my heart from bitterness, anger, and grudges.
Fill me with Your Spirit so that love overflows where hatred once lived.
When I am weak, remind me of the power in Your name.
Help me to forgive again and again, not keeping count,
but keeping my eyes on You.
In Christ’s name, Amen.
Takeaway
Forgiveness is not about keeping count—it’s about keeping Christ’s love at the center of your heart.
Justin Edwards
Founder ICUmissions.org
Icumissions.org@gmail.com
