Forgiveness...

I was reading the book of Matthew recently and was struck by the context of chapter 18. Beginning in verse 15 we see a teaching on church discipline. It begins, "If your brother sins..." Brother in this context is taken to mean a familial relationship within the family of God - a "fellow believer" or "fellow Christian." Interestingly enough verse 20 is frequently used out of context. "For where two or three are assembled in my name, I am there among them," is typically used as an affirmation of belief on an upcoming prayer in a church service. Actually in the context of the paragraph, it is referring to disciplinary action within the body of believers. But that's not what struck me in this chapter. It was the term "brother." For in verses 21-22 we see Peter asking Jesus how often he should forgive a "brother." Jesus replies seventy times seven. Immediately following this account is the Parable of the Unforgiving Slave (verses 23-35). Jesus finishes off in verse 35 by saying, "So also my heavenly Father will do to you, if each of you does not forgive your brother from your heart." How many time do we hear, rightfully so, about the power of forgiveness. Yet we usually hear about it in the context of forgiving non-Christians who have done us wrong. The context of Matthew 18 is clearly within the body of believers. How should we be addressing the issue of forgiving - as expressed in this section of Scripture? I think I've got a topic for a personal Bible study over the next few weeks...