Jesus answered, "Not seven times, but seventy-seven times." Matthew 18:21-22
Things have certainly changed over the years. There used to be a time when someone said something they didn't mean to say, a simple "I'm sorry" would be enough. Now if someone's has a slip of the tongue his/her whole life could drastically change.
The media will bombard that person even after he/she made an apology. Certain groups will harass this person until he/she has no choice but to leave his/her position or keeping enduring the ridicule. If this person has a business then the business suffers. If it's a police officer then the entire police force is put under attack and no longer trusted to help keep us safe.
Don't get me wrong, I do feel that certain words or phrases should not even be in our vocabulary. Sometimes even words you don't even think about slip out when saying things. I mean I don't think about the curse words and I don't use any phrases with "Oh my God," but on occasion something I don't normally say slips. Does that mean I'm a bad person? Does that mean an apology shouldn't take care of that slip of the tongue?
I try to teach the kids I care for that once the apology is given, we forgive, and forget about it. Then we try not to do it again. They will be forgiven over and over for as long as it takes.
We have a wonderful Father in heaven who forgives us when we mess up. After all, we are only human and we will mess up. Not one of us is perfect. After we seek Him for forgiveness, "I even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." Isaiah 43:25 He remembers our sins no more! If the God of all creation can blot out what past mistakes we made and remembers them no more, then shouldn't we. This means everybody, even those in authority, those who have a national business, and yes, even those who are closest to us.
"Forgive as the Father has forgiven you."
