Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a foundational principle to Christian living yet one of the very things that holds many in bondage today.
Most are fine with the principle of forgiveness but never truly execute its full meaning in their life.
The absence of forgiveness in a person’s life is a destructive bondage causing; strife, division, depression, oppression, sickness, divorce, and even damnation.
Definition of Forgiveness: To grant free pardon or remission of any offense or debt; to give up all claim.
5 KEYS TO WALKING IN FORGIVENESS
1) Forgiveness is a command not a suggestion.
Matt 6:14-15
14 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
This is right after the Lord taught His disciples how to pray.
This is a spiritual principle
God doesn’t want to talk to us until we have reconciled our differences with one another. (Mat. 5:24)
Prov 19:11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression.
Prov 24:29 Do not say, "I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."
Col 3:12-13
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
13 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.
2) There is no limit to forgiveness.
Matt 18:21-22
21 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"
22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Jesus didn’t mean forgive 490 times and stop, it is limitless.
How many times do you want to be forgiven?
1 Cor. 13:5 Love keeps no record of wrongs.
1Pet. 4:8 Love covers a multitude of sins.
We should learn to forgive as God forgives.
Ps 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
3) Unforgiveness holds us in bondage.
Matt 18:23-35
23 "Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
24 "And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
25 "But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.
26 "The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ’Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
27 "Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
28 "But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ’Pay me what you owe!’
29 "So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ’Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
30 "And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
31 "So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
32 "Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ’You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
33 ’Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’
34 "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
35 "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."
It prevents the forgiveness from the Father.
We were forgiven a debt that we could never pay back, any debt to us is miniscule in comparison yet we want to collect on it anyway.
Vs. 34 He was delivered to the torturers. It opens up the door to physical and mental illness and demonic strongholds.
It can limit or even cut off blessings in our life.
Mat. 6:14-15 we can block our own forgiveness.- If we don’t forgive, we cannot be forgiven.
Prov 28:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
Unforgiveness is a sin which blocks prosperity.
It leaves us bitter and our hearts hardened.
Heb 12:15 looking diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
4) Forgiveness is a volitional act.
Not a feeling but a decision.
It is continual (past, present and future)
It is of the spirit - not the flesh, not the soul.
You must be able to see your offender as a living spirit, not an enemy, Not some challenge on life’s little merry way, not just a speed bump on your road to paradise.
5) Reconciliation is always the answer.
We cannot afford any areas of unforgiveness in our life.
We must keep our conscience clear and keep ourselves reconciled to others.
Don’t dwell on it
Command your soul to be subject to you spirit.
Rom 12:14-18
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
“Always forgive your enemies – nothing annoys them so much” – Oscar Wilde
