You Asked For It- Week 3

HOW DO I REALLY FORGIVE?

“Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea…until they have something to forgive.” – CS Lewis

Luke 17:1 – 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!”

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. But if you do not forgive others of their sins, your father will not forgive your sins.”

FORGIVENESS IS NOT:

– Holding On Keeps Us From On.

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–  Luke 23:34 – Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.

–  Choices . Feelings .

–  Psalm 103:10-12 – 10 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.

–  “In the shadow of my hurt, forgiveness feels like a decision to reward my enemy. But in the shadow of the cross, forgiveness is merely a gift from one undeserving soul to another.” – Andy Stanley

–  Forgiveness Is Not About For You; It’s About For You.

–  Forgiveness Is A Game.

–  You Can Be At Peace Even If There Isn’t Peace .

HOW DO YOU BEGIN TO FORGIVE?

FOR THEM

Matthew 5:43-44, “You have heard it said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

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.

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 everybody.  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’s thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will keep burning coals on his head.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

  Someone Who Has Dishonored You Doesn’t

What They Did To You.  It Your Commitment To Live At Peace.  

Get rid of (ario): to forcibly raise and remove.

Ephesians 4:31-32 – Get rid of all bitterness, rage, 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.