Forgiveness

Most of us are fairly apt to forgive a friend or loved one who wrongs us. That is good. We should forgive them but, don't even sinners forgive friends and loved ones? Is it not natural to forgive those whom we feel deserve it? I think the Bible and the very life example of Jesus tells us to do more than that. Not only should we forgive our neighbor whom we love but, also forgive our enemy whom we should love. Jesus and Stephen upon there death at the hands of their enemies, prayed the same prayer, " Father forgive them..." Are we to forgive only those who ask for it? The bible says that "...while we were yet sinners Jesus died for us." and that our names were written in the Lamb's book of life "...before the foundation of the world." So we see that we were forgiven before we asked for forgiveness, while we were yet God's enemies.
Peter asked Jesus how many times to forgive someone. Peter was willing to do it up to seven times. That's not bad considering man's unwillingness to forgive once leave alone seven. Jesus replies, " Not seven but, seventy times seven." So was Jesus saying to forgive 490 times and on the 491st time they have gone to far? Is he just using a really large number to make a point? I don't think so. In Daniel we have the prophecy of the coming of Jesus given as seventy weeks. Seventy times seven! Jesus is telling Peter and us, "Keep on forgiving until I return. Let your forgiveness be perpetual as mine is for you." That's a pretty tall order but, it is so true to the character of Jesus. If you want to be like Jesus, be a forgiver.