God's forgiveness about repetitive mistakes

Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

Your weakness and sin is not the measure of God's patience and loving care for you. Think of a parent teaching his young toddler how to walk, the mum and dad will be satisfied when the kid reaches the goal of walking on its own, but they will also be pleased at every stumbling attempt made by the child before then. And throughout the learning process they are there holding and guiding the kid along the way, and not just saying 'come to me when you can walk on your own'.

And God, being our heavenly Father, is infinitely more intimately loving and guiding than our human parents (Luke 11:11-13), will never, and cannot, grow tired or frustrated with our weaknesses and falling short, instead he's always helping.

We have within us deeply rooted weaknesses, passions, and defects. This can not all be cut out with one sharp motion, but patience, persistence, care and attention. The path leading to perfection is long. Pray to God so that he will strengthen you. Patiently accept your falls and, having stood up, immediately run to God, not remaining in that place where you have fallen. Do not despair if you keep falling into your old sins. Many of them are strong because they have received the force of habit. Only with the passage of time and with fervor will they be conquered. Don't let anything deprive you of hope.

  • (St. Nectarios of Aegina)

Do not say: "I have sinned much, and therefore I am not bold enough to fall down before God." Do not despair. Simply do not increase your sins in despair and, with the help of the All-merciful One, you will not be put to shame. For He said, "he who comes to Me I will not cast out." (John. 6:37) And so, be bold and believe that He is pure and cleanses those who draw near to Him. If you want to accomplish true repentance, show it with your deeds. If you have fallen into pride, show humility; if into drunkenness, show sobriety; if into defilement, show purity of life. For it is said, "Turn away from evil and do good." (I Pet. 3:11)

  • (St. Gennadius of Constantinople)
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