A. INTRODUCTION
1. Definition of living, i.e., actual existence; maintains an active, strong, sufficient, reproductive, life.
2. Threefold definition of forgiving life:
a. Based on past forgiveness.
b. Enjoying present forgiveness.
c. Facing a positive future of freedom because of forgiveness.
3. Problem:
a. People who have not forgiven you for a past ___________.
b. Problems, thoughts, and uneasy conscience because of past and forgiveness.
4. What is greatest verse in Bible about forgiveness. The one that makes you inwardly realize and outwardly guides your forgiven life.
5. The word forgiveness (aphiemi) means “to give/yield up or to send away. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The word sinner means, we choose to leave God and go our own way. “While we were enemies, we were reconciled” (Romans 5:10). The word enemies, means to hate God and attack Him (verbally, violently, willfully).
6. Do you need forgiveness or the Forgiver. It is one thing to ask for forgiveness, and then receive it. It is a greater thing to have the Forgiver in your heart. Why?
a. He will forgive what you did/thought.
b. He will restore you to fellowship with the Father and Him.
c. He – the Forgiver will indwell you and live in your heart so you can walk as a forgiven one.
B. TWENTY TRUTHS ABOUT FORGIVENESS
1. Deliverance. “For He (Christ) has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins” (Colossians 1:13-14, NLT).
2. Redemption. “He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. He has showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding” (Ephesians 1:7-8).
3. You stand accepted in God’s presence. “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared” (Psalm 130:3-4).
4. God forgets your sins, so should you. “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you” (Deuteronomy 16:17).
5. Your sin is against God, but He blots them out. “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins” (Isaiah 43:25).
6. Mercy is tied to forgiveness. “To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him” (Daniel 9:9).
7. How far? Infinity. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).
8. Love abounding. “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven” (Proverbs 17:9).
9. Not some, but all sins. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9).
10. Forgive to get forgiveness. “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15).
11. When forgiven, you are blessed. “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered” (Psalm 32:1).
12. The forgiven one is completely forgiven. “When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins” (Mark 11:25).
13. Do not forget to call. “O Lord, You are so good, so ready to forgive … for all who call for Your help” (Psalm 6:5, ELT).
14. Multiplied perfection. “Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven’” (Matthew 18:21-22).
15. You get forgiveness when you forgive. “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).
16. Be thankful for forgiveness “and let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body: and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
17. Let kindness accompany your forgiveness. “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
18. We usually do not know the damage/wickedness done by our unforgiving attitudes/acts. “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
19. When you forgive, you get healing. “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16).
20. Forgive because the Lord forgave you. “Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Colossians 3:13).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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