- Forgiving Others
- Forgiving Myself
- Forgiving God
Isaiah 1:18 NLT // “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. If you will only obey me...”
Luke 17:1, 3-5 // Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come ... 3 So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. 4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
- How do you forgive when you don’t feel like forgiving?
Ephesians 4:32 // Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Matthew 6:14-15 // “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
- FORGIVENESS IS NOT:
- Holding on keeps us from moving on.
- Choices lead. Feelings follow.
Psalm 103:10-12 // He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
- Reconciliation
- Forgiveness is a one player game.
HOW DO I FULLY FORGIVE?
1. Pray for them.
Matthew 5:43-44 // “You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
2. Bless them.
Luke 6:27-28 // But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Romans 12:14 // Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
3. Do good to them.
Romans 12:17-21 // Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Ephesians 4:31-32 // Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
