1st message on Forgiveness, our Kids Company virtue for May (252 Basics). "Since God forgives you, you should forgive others." The starting point of forgiveness is the cross of Jesus, while Matthew 18 is the classic teaching on the subject. in the context of a dispute among the disciples, Jesus explains that greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven is doing your best to work out your problems with people one-on-one, but if needed including others, so that ultimately we work it out. But "deciding that someone who has wronged you doesn't have to pay" seems like an "open book" for trouble. So, Peter asked the question on everyone's mind, "How often must I do this?" Jesus' answer is surprising (intensified by the comparison to Gen 4:23-24), not only 7, or even 77, but 70 times 7! From Jesus' teaching and parable, we learn that forgiveness is Christ's command, and Christ's example, but it is also a choice. It is a choice with consequences (both present and future), it's a choice with a promise (God will settle everything justly in the end), and a choice with a provision (Phil 2:13)... he will provide both the desire and the power to do what please him! There are no shortage of places to apply the lessons of forgiveness, and this is why we will explore the Scriptures this month to become more like Jesus in forgiveness!