Forgiveness
Forgiveness
The pain you feel today is the pain you can heal today
Bitterness
“…And make sure no one lives with a root of bitterness sprouting within them which will only cause trouble and poison the hearts of many.” Hebrews 12:15 TPT
Forgiveness is a choice
Why is it so hard to forgive others?
1. We have the wrong idea of forgiveness
Forgiveness is not:
– Minimizing the hurt you feel or the offense that took place
– Reconciliation
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 NIV
Forgiveness is our choice
I will not let my external circumstances dictate the condition of my heart
– Instant Restoration of Trust
Through true forgiveness, it is possible to build trust again
2. We don’t think its fair
Forgiveness
For(Give)ness
“but God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8 NLT
If we are waiting for the other person to be worthy of forgiveness we will never forgive
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT
3. We don’t think we can forgive
“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
“THE LESSONS OF FORGIVENESS IN HEAVEN’S KINGDOM REALM CAN BE ILLUSTRATED LIKE THIS: THERE ONCE WAS A KING WHO HAD SERVANTS WHO HAD BORROWED MONEY FROM THE ROYAL TREASURY. HE DECIDED TO SETTLE ACCOUNTS WITH EACH OF THEM. AS HE BEGAN THE PROCESS, IT CAME TO HIS ATTENTION THAT ONE OF HIS SERVANTS OWED HIM ONE BILLION DOLLARS. SO HE SUMMONED THE SERVANT BEFORE HIM AND SAID TO HIM, ‘PAY ME WHAT YOU OWE ME.’ WHEN HIS SERVANT WAS UNABLE TO REPAY HIS DEBT, THE KING ORDERED THAT HE BE SOLD AS A SLAVE ALONG WITH HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN AND EVERY POSSESSION THEY OWNED AS PAYMENT TOWARD HIS DEBT. THE SERVANT THREW HIMSELF FACEDOWN AT HIS MASTER’S FEET AND BEGGED FOR MERCY. ‘PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH ME. JUST GIVE ME MORE TIME AND I WILL REPAY YOU ALL THAT I OWE.’ UPON HEARING HIS PLEAS, THE KING HAD COMPASSION ON HIS SERVANT, AND RELEASED HIM, AND FORGAVE HIS ENTIRE DEBT.”
“NO SOONER HAD THE SERVANT LEFT WHEN HE MET ONE OF HIS FELLOW SERVANTS, WHO OWED HIM TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS. HE SEIZED HIM BY THE THROAT AND BEGAN TO CHOKE HIM, SAYING, ‘YOU’D BETTER PAY ME RIGHT NOW EVERYTHING YOU OWE ME!’ HIS FELLOW SERVANT THREW HIMSELF FACEDOWN AT HIS FEET AND BEGGED, ‘PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH ME. IF YOU’LL JUST GIVE ME TIME, I WILL REPAY YOU ALL THAT IS OWED.’
“BUT THE ONE WHO HAD HIS DEBT FORGIVEN STUBBORNLY REFUSED TO FORGIVE WHAT WAS OWED TO HIM. HE HAD HIS FELLOW SERVANT THROWN INTO PRISON AND DEMANDED HE REMIAN THERE UNTIL HE REPAID THE DEBT IN FULL”
“WHEN HIS ASSOCIATES SAW WHAT WAS GOING ON, THEY WERE OUTRAGED AND WENT TO THE KING AND TOLD HIM THE WHOLE STORY. THE KING SAID TO HIM ‘YOU SCOUNDREL! IS THIS THE WAY YOU RESPOND TO MY MERCY? BECAUSE YOU BEGGED ME, I FORGAVE YOU THE MASSIVE DEBT THAT YOU OWED ME. WHY DIDN’T YOU SHOW THE SAME MERCY TO YOUR FELLOW SERVANT THAT I SHOWED TO YOU?
“IN A FURY OF ANGER, THE KING TURNED HIM OVER TO THE PRISON GUARDS TO BE TORTURED UNTIL ALL HIS DEBT WAS REPAID. IN THIS SAME WAY, MY HEAVENLY FATHER WILL DEAL WITH ANY OF YOU IF YOU DO NOT RELEASE FORGIVENESS FROM YOUR HEART…” MATTHEW 18:23-35 TPT
“…RELEASE FORGIVENESS FROM YOUR HEART…” MATTHEW 18:35 TPT
“FORGIVENESS IS SETTING THE PRISONER FREE, ONLY TO FIND OUT THE PRISONER WAS ME” CORRIE TEN BOOM
There is freedom on the other side of your forgiveness
1. Examine Your Heart and Be Honest with Yourself
You cannot win a battle you won’t admit you’re in
“Leave your troubles with the lord, and he will defend you; he never lets honest people be defeated.” Psalms 55:22 GNTD
2. Realize That God Knew There Would Be Offenses in our Lives and That He Equipped Us with All We Need to Properly Forgive
“…It’s impossible…” Luke 17:1 NKJV
“Then He said to His disciples…It’s impossible that no offenses should come…” Luke 17:1 NKJV
“Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all clothe yourselves with LOVE, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.” Colossians 3:13-15 NLT
Love
3. Make the Choice to Forgive and Continue to Forgive
Forgiveness is not a One-Time Thing
“THEN PETER CAME TO HIM AND ASKED, ‘LORD, HOW OFTEN SHOULD I FORGIVE SOMEONE WHO SINS AGAINST ME? SEVEN TIMES?” “NO, NOT SEVEN TIMES,” JESUS REPLIED, “BUT SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN!” MATTHEW 18:21-22
4. Pray for the One Who Hurt You
“Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
Take Home: Forgive Someone You Need to Forgive