What does it mean to be a Christian? n Often we mistakenly check first on the externals. (Hos 6:6;...

What does it mean to be a Christian?What does it mean to be a Christian?

Often we mistakenly check first on the Often we mistakenly check first on the externals. externals. (Hos 6:6; Mt 9:13)(Hos 6:6; Mt 9:13)


(Hosea 6:6 NKJV)(Hosea 6:6 NKJV) “For “For I desire mercy I desire mercy and not sacrificeand not sacrifice, And the knowledge of , And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”God more than burnt offerings.”


(Matthew 9:13 NKJV)(Matthew 9:13 NKJV) “”But go and learn “”But go and learn what what this this means: ‘means: ‘I desire mercy and not I desire mercy and not sacrificesacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the .’ For I did not come to call the

righteous, but sinners, to repentance.””righteous, but sinners, to repentance.””


We can hide behind the externals!We can hide behind the externals! (Mt 23:25-26)(Mt 23:25-26)


(Matthew 23:25-26 NKJV)(Matthew 23:25-26 NKJV) “”Woe to you, “”Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgenceindulgence.. {26} {26} “Blind Pharisee, first “Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.”the outside of them may be clean also.”


Why do we often fail here? Because it is Why do we often fail here? Because it is easier to use externals as a mask.easier to use externals as a mask.


Why do we often fail here? Because it is Why do we often fail here? Because it is easier to use externals as a mask.easier to use externals as a mask.

Please do not find comfort with the Please do not find comfort with the position that denies a place for externals! position that denies a place for externals! (Mt 23:23) (Mt 23:23)


(Matthew 23:23 NKJV)(Matthew 23:23 NKJV) “Woe to you, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier and have neglected the weightier matters matters of of the law: justice and mercy and faith. the law: justice and mercy and faith. These These you ought to have doneyou ought to have done, without leaving the , without leaving the

others undone.”others undone.”


I cannot think of any greater tests of our I cannot think of any greater tests of our heart than the one of forgiving others.heart than the one of forgiving others.



I ask that you listen with absolute honesty.I ask that you listen with absolute honesty.



I ask that you listen with absolute honesty.I ask that you listen with absolute honesty. We must release all desire for revenge. We must release all desire for revenge.

(Rom 12:19-21)(Rom 12:19-21)


Romans 12:19-21 (NKJV)Romans 12:19-21 (NKJV) “19 Beloved, do not “19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but avenge yourselves, but ratherrather give place to wrath; give place to wrath; for it is written, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”evil, but overcome evil with good.”


If we do not see our need here, we will in If we do not see our need here, we will in time become like the Pharisees.time become like the Pharisees.

What is forgiveness?What is forgiveness?

We know it is like love in that it comes We know it is like love in that it comes from the character of God. from the character of God. (1 Jn 4:19; Mt 6:12,14-15)(1 Jn 4:19; Mt 6:12,14-15)


(1 John 4:19 NKJV)(1 John 4:19 NKJV) “We love Him “We love Him because He first loved us.”because He first loved us.”


(Matthew 6:12 NKJV)(Matthew 6:12 NKJV) “And forgive us “And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.”our debts, As we forgive our debtors.”


(Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV)(Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV) “”For if you “”For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.Father will also forgive you. {15} {15} “But if “But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your neither will your Father forgive your trespassestrespasses.”.”


When we define forgiveness as God does When we define forgiveness as God does then we will know!then we will know!



Do you know the forgiveness of God?Do you know the forgiveness of God?



Do you know the forgiveness of God?Do you know the forgiveness of God? What is God's forgiveness like?What is God's forgiveness like?



Do you know the forgiveness of God?Do you know the forgiveness of God? What is God's forgiveness like?What is God's forgiveness like? God blots out our sins! God blots out our sins! (Acts 3:19)(Acts 3:19)


(Acts 3:19 NKJV)(Acts 3:19 NKJV) “”Repent therefore and “”Repent therefore and be converted, that be converted, that your sins may be blotted your sins may be blotted outout, so that times of refreshing may come , so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,”from the presence of the Lord,”


God does not remember our sins any more. God does not remember our sins any more. (Heb 8:12)(Heb 8:12)


(Hebrews 8:12 NKJV)(Hebrews 8:12 NKJV) “”For I will be “”For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds sins and their lawless deeds I will remember I will remember no moreno more.””.””


God receives us back to a full fellowship. God receives us back to a full fellowship. (Lk 15:20-24)(Lk 15:20-24)


(Luke 15:20-24 NKJV)(Luke 15:20-24 NKJV) “”And he arose “”And he arose and came to his father. But when he was and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.neck and kissed him. {21} {21} “And the son “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’worthy to be called your son.’


{22} {22} “But the father said to his servants, “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put ‘Bring out the best robe and put it it on him, on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his his feet.feet. {23} {23} ‘And bring the fatted calf here ‘And bring the fatted calf here and kill and kill it, it, and let us eat and be merry;and let us eat and be merry; {24} {24} ‘for this my son was dead and is alive ‘for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.”began to be merry.”


"To forgive someone involves three things. First, "To forgive someone involves three things. First, it means to forego the right of striking back. One it means to forego the right of striking back. One rejects the urge to repay gossip with gossip and a rejects the urge to repay gossip with gossip and a bad turn with a worse turn. Second, it means bad turn with a worse turn. Second, it means replacing the feeling of resentment and anger with replacing the feeling of resentment and anger with good will, a love which seeks the other's welfare, good will, a love which seeks the other's welfare, not harm. Third, it means the forgiving person not harm. Third, it means the forgiving person takes concrete steps to restore good relations."takes concrete steps to restore good relations."

Genuine forgiveness is truly difficultGenuine forgiveness is truly difficult

In real forgiveness you take the loss or hurt In real forgiveness you take the loss or hurt and write it off.and write it off.


In real forgiveness you take the loss or hurt In real forgiveness you take the loss or hurt and write it off.and write it off.

We are a people who do not want to be We are a people who do not want to be cheated! It is with the utmost difficulty cheated! It is with the utmost difficulty that we let go of a real debt! that we let go of a real debt!


In real forgiveness you take the loss or hurt and In real forgiveness you take the loss or hurt and write it off.write it off.

We are a people who do not want to be cheated! We are a people who do not want to be cheated! It is with the utmost difficulty that we let go of It is with the utmost difficulty that we let go of a real debt! a real debt!

Before you try to justify your holy war over Before you try to justify your holy war over your hurts ask this question: " What if God your hurts ask this question: " What if God treated my debt to Him as I am treating others?" treated my debt to Him as I am treating others?" (Mt 18:23-35)(Mt 18:23-35)


(Matthew 18:23-35 NKJV(Matthew 18:23-35 NKJV)) “”Therefore the “”Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.wanted to settle accounts with his servants. {24} {24} “And when he had begun to settle accounts, one “And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.talents. {25} {25} “But as he was not able to pay, his “But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.be made.


{26} {26} “The servant therefore fell down before him, “The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’pay you all.’ {27} {27} “Then the master of that servant “Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.forgave him the debt. {28} {28} “But that servant went “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him and took him him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’what you owe!’


{29} {29} “So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and “So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’will pay you all.’ {30} {30} “And he would not, but went “And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.debt. {31} {31} “So when his fellow servants saw what “So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.and told their master all that had been done. {32} {32} “Then his master, after he had called him, said to “Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.debt because you begged me.


{33} {33} ‘Should you not also have had compassion ‘Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ {34} {34} “And his master was angry, and delivered “And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.was due to him. {35} {35} ““So My heavenly Father also So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespassesnot forgive his brother his trespasses.”.”


Notice the great emphasis of the scriptures Notice the great emphasis of the scriptures here. here. (Mt 6:14-15, 18:35)(Mt 6:14-15, 18:35)


(Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV)(Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV) “”For if you “”For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.Father will also forgive you. {15} {15} “But if “But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your neither will your Father forgive your trespassestrespasses.”.”


(Matthew 18:35 NKJV)(Matthew 18:35 NKJV) “ “So My heavenly So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of youFather also will do to you if each of you, , from his heart, does not forgive his brother from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” his trespasses.”


Humility is a must for one to truly forgive. Humility is a must for one to truly forgive. (Col 3:12-13)(Col 3:12-13)


(Colossians 3:12-13 NKJV)(Colossians 3:12-13 NKJV) “Therefore, “Therefore, as as the the elect of God, holy and beloved, put elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, on tender mercies, kindness, humility, kindness, humility, meekness, longsufferingmeekness, longsuffering;; {13} {13} bearing with bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”must do.”


A proud person will pursue the one who A proud person will pursue the one who injured him for as long as it takes!injured him for as long as it takes!



In humility we recognize who we really are. In humility we recognize who we really are. Let go!Let go!



In humility we recognize who we really are. In humility we recognize who we really are. Let go!Let go!

Self-deception is very strong when it comes Self-deception is very strong when it comes to forgiveness. to forgiveness. (Jas 1:26)(Jas 1:26)


(James 1:26 NKJV)(James 1:26 NKJV) “If anyone among “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, heart, this one’s religion this one’s religion is is uselessuseless.”.”


We can say we "forgive" while at the same We can say we "forgive" while at the same time harbor bitterness in our hearts.time harbor bitterness in our hearts.


We can say we "forgive" while at the same We can say we "forgive" while at the same time harbor bitterness in our hearts.time harbor bitterness in our hearts.

Even though we say the right words, it is Even though we say the right words, it is plain to others that we have a vendetta.plain to others that we have a vendetta.


Things which men substitute for Things which men substitute for forgiveness.forgiveness.


To ignore both the wrong done and the To ignore both the wrong done and the person who did it.person who did it.


To ignore both the wrong done and the To ignore both the wrong done and the person who did it.person who did it.

If we can by love cover a fault then all is If we can by love cover a fault then all is well. well. (1 Pt 4:8)(1 Pt 4:8)


(1 Peter 4:8 NKJV)(1 Peter 4:8 NKJV) “And above all things “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”will cover a multitude of sins.”


But if we bury a hurt and then snub and But if we bury a hurt and then snub and avoid another, we are in trouble.avoid another, we are in trouble.


To go by the "eye for an eye" approach.To go by the "eye for an eye" approach.


To go by the "eye for an eye" approach.To go by the "eye for an eye" approach. After I get even then all is well!After I get even then all is well!


To put the person on probation.To put the person on probation.


To put the person on probation.To put the person on probation. I will forgive you but if you do this I will forgive you but if you do this

again….be extra good or else!again….be extra good or else!


"Forgiveness is not that stripe which says, "Forgiveness is not that stripe which says, "I will forgive, but not forget." It is not to "I will forgive, but not forget." It is not to bury the hatchet with the handle sticking bury the hatchet with the handle sticking out of the ground, so you can grasp it the out of the ground, so you can grasp it the minute you want it."minute you want it."


We may think we have forgiven but in truth We may think we have forgiven but in truth we have not! What is forgiveness? we have not! What is forgiveness? (Heb 8:12)(Heb 8:12)


(Hebrews 8:12 NKJV)(Hebrews 8:12 NKJV) “”For I will be “”For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.””no more.””

The hard road of the unforgiving heartThe hard road of the unforgiving heart

The unforgiving lives a life of pain. The unforgiving lives a life of pain.


The unforgiving lives a life of pain. The unforgiving lives a life of pain. They think if they forgive that they will be They think if they forgive that they will be

cheated. In truth they have taken a road far cheated. In truth they have taken a road far harder than anything God would put us harder than anything God would put us through. through. (Deut 6:24)(Deut 6:24)


(Deuteronomy 6:24 NKJV)(Deuteronomy 6:24 NKJV) “’And the “’And the LORD commanded us to observe all these LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us good always, that He might preserve us alive, as alive, as it is it is this day.”this day.”


"General Oglethorpe once said to John "General Oglethorpe once said to John Wesley, "I never forgive and I never Wesley, "I never forgive and I never forget." To which Wesley responded, "Then forget." To which Wesley responded, "Then Sir, I hope you never sin." Very apt, for Sir, I hope you never sin." Very apt, for when we reflect on how much God has when we reflect on how much God has forgiven us, it makes our own little grudges forgiven us, it makes our own little grudges against others seem rather petty."against others seem rather petty."


Over time the unforgiving heart becomes a Over time the unforgiving heart becomes a hardened heart. hardened heart. (Eph 4:19, 32)(Eph 4:19, 32)


(Ephesians 4:19 NKJV)(Ephesians 4:19 NKJV) “who, “who, being past being past feelingfeeling, have given themselves over to , have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.”greediness.”


(Ephesians 4:32 NKJV)(Ephesians 4:32 NKJV) “And be kind to “And be kind to one another, one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one tenderhearted, forgiving one anotheranother, just as God in Christ forgave you.”, just as God in Christ forgave you.”


When the desire for revenge pushes out the When the desire for revenge pushes out the love of God it will be replaced with love of God it will be replaced with bitterness and anger. They are relentless bitterness and anger. They are relentless masters.masters.


In time you will act like a crazy person! In time you will act like a crazy person! You may know the right words to speak You may know the right words to speak and wear your mask often, but you heart and wear your mask often, but you heart will be revealed! Consider the examples of will be revealed! Consider the examples of the Pharisees. the Pharisees. (Mk 15:10; Jn 18:28)(Mk 15:10; Jn 18:28)


(Mark 15:10 NKJV)(Mark 15:10 NKJV) “For he knew that “For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.”because of envy.”


(John 18:28 NKJV)(John 18:28 NKJV) “Then they led Jesus “Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, go into the Praetorium, lest they should be lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the defiled, but that they might eat the PassoverPassover.” .”


The family of the unforgiving pays a high The family of the unforgiving pays a high price.price.


The family of the unforgiving pays a high The family of the unforgiving pays a high price.price.

In the family of the unforgiving you must In the family of the unforgiving you must line up or be punished. You are not line up or be punished. You are not allowed to point out the obvious.allowed to point out the obvious.


"Old gossip may ... be immoral, a means of "Old gossip may ... be immoral, a means of locking another person in the past, tying a locking another person in the past, tying a person to a past sin in a way that is anything person to a past sin in a way that is anything but Christian. ... Forgiveness means, in but Christian. ... Forgiveness means, in great part, that the forgiven sin is no longer great part, that the forgiven sin is no longer the subject of continued conversation. the subject of continued conversation.


This taught bitterness and unreasonableness This taught bitterness and unreasonableness is common in those who are alcoholics and is common in those who are alcoholics and other kinds of addicts.other kinds of addicts.


This taught bitterness and unreasonableness This taught bitterness and unreasonableness is common in those who are alcoholics and is common in those who are alcoholics and other kinds of addicts.other kinds of addicts.

It is better for a young Christian in such a It is better for a young Christian in such a home to seek to separate from that home to seek to separate from that influence as soon as possible.influence as soon as possible.


(Hebrews 12:14-15 NKJV)(Hebrews 12:14-15 NKJV) “Pursue peace “Pursue peace with all with all people, people, and holiness, without which and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:no one will see the Lord: {15} {15} looking looking carefully lest anyone carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace fall short of the grace of Godof God; lest any ; lest any root of bitterness springing root of bitterness springing up cause troubleup cause trouble, and by this , and by this many become many become defileddefiled;”;”


Most church problems have their origins Most church problems have their origins here.here.


Most church problems have their origins Most church problems have their origins here.here.

Forgiving people pursue peace. Unforgiving Forgiving people pursue peace. Unforgiving people pursue allies.people pursue allies.


Judge Your Enemy by Thomas MertonJudge Your Enemy by Thomas Merton


Judge Your Enemy by Thomas MertonJudge Your Enemy by Thomas Merton "Do not be too quick to assume that your "Do not be too quick to assume that your

enemy is a savage just because he is your enemy is a savage just because he is your enemy. Perhaps he is your enemy because he enemy. Perhaps he is your enemy because he thinks you are a savage. Or perhaps he is afraid thinks you are a savage. Or perhaps he is afraid of you because he feels you are afraid of him. of you because he feels you are afraid of him. And perhaps if he believed you were capable And perhaps if he believed you were capable of loving him he would no longer be your of loving him he would no longer be your enemy.enemy.


"Do not be too quick to assume that your "Do not be too quick to assume that your enemy is an enemy of God just because he is enemy is an enemy of God just because he is your enemy. Perhaps he is your enemy your enemy. Perhaps he is your enemy precisely because he can find nothing in you precisely because he can find nothing in you that gives glory to God. Perhaps he fears you that gives glory to God. Perhaps he fears you because he can find nothing in you of God's because he can find nothing in you of God's love and God's kindness and God's patience love and God's kindness and God's patience and mercy and understanding of the weakness and mercy and understanding of the weakness of men.”of men.”


"Do not be too quick to condemn the man "Do not be too quick to condemn the man who no longer believes in God. For it is who no longer believes in God. For it is perhaps your own coldness and avarice and perhaps your own coldness and avarice and mediocrity and materialism and sensuality mediocrity and materialism and sensuality and selfishness that have killed his faith".and selfishness that have killed his faith".


The unforgiving and their allies will go to The unforgiving and their allies will go to hell. hell. (Mt 18:35; Jas 2:13)(Mt 18:35; Jas 2:13)


(Matthew 18:35 NKJV)(Matthew 18:35 NKJV) “”So My “”So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.””brother his trespasses.””


(James 2:13 NKJV)(James 2:13 NKJV) “For judgment is “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”


It is not enough to say: "I have been bitter." It is not enough to say: "I have been bitter." You need to make it right!You need to make it right!


"Forgiveness isn't pretending nothing has "Forgiveness isn't pretending nothing has happened, or pretending that what happened didn't happened, or pretending that what happened didn't hurt. It isn't even forgetting it completely, and it hurt. It isn't even forgetting it completely, and it isn't going back and starting over as though it isn't going back and starting over as though it hadn't ever happened. Instead, forgiveness is hadn't ever happened. Instead, forgiveness is refusing to let anything permanently destroy the refusing to let anything permanently destroy the relationship. There's a place for saying, "I'm relationship. There's a place for saying, "I'm sorry." There's a place for assuring the other sorry." There's a place for assuring the other person that "all is forgiven."person that "all is forgiven."


But the goal of both is to rebuild the relationship. But the goal of both is to rebuild the relationship. One of the amazing things about a healthy One of the amazing things about a healthy beginning again is that the relationship is often beginning again is that the relationship is often stronger than it was before"stronger than it was before"


King Saul occasionally admitted his wrong King Saul occasionally admitted his wrong but never repented. but never repented. (1 Sam 24:17-19)(1 Sam 24:17-19)


(1 Samuel 24:17-19 NKJV)(1 Samuel 24:17-19 NKJV) “Then he said to “Then he said to David: “You David: “You are are more righteous than I; for you more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil.rewarded you with evil. {18} {18} “And you have shown “And you have shown this day how you have dealt well with me; for when this day how you have dealt well with me; for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me.kill me. {19} {19} “For if a man finds his enemy, will he “For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him get away safely? Therefore may the LORD let him get away safely? Therefore may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.”this day.”


I believe that the driving force behind I believe that the driving force behind liberalism are those who have not dealt liberalism are those who have not dealt with their hurts and therefore want "no with their hurts and therefore want "no more conflict." Here they want to run and more conflict." Here they want to run and hide!hide!

TheThe healing power of genuine forgiveness healing power of genuine forgiveness

Forgiveness releases us from unnecessary Forgiveness releases us from unnecessary burdens! burdens! (Mt 11:28-30)(Mt 11:28-30)


(Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV)(Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV) “Come to Me, “Come to Me, all all you you who labor and are heavy laden, and I who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.will give you rest. {29} {29} “Take My yoke “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.rest for your souls. {30} {30} “For My yoke “For My yoke is is easy and My burden is light.”easy and My burden is light.”


"In his book, Lee: The Last Years, Charles Bracelen "In his book, Lee: The Last Years, Charles Bracelen Flood reports that after the Civil War, Robert E. Lee Flood reports that after the Civil War, Robert E. Lee visited a Kentucky lady who took him to the visited a Kentucky lady who took him to the remains of a grand old tree in front of her house. remains of a grand old tree in front of her house. There she bitterly cried that its limbs and trunk had There she bitterly cried that its limbs and trunk had been destroyed by Federal Artillery fire. She looked been destroyed by Federal Artillery fire. She looked to Lee for a word condemning the North or at least to Lee for a word condemning the North or at least sympathizing with her loss. After a brief silence, sympathizing with her loss. After a brief silence, Lee said, "Cut it down, my dear Madam, and forget Lee said, "Cut it down, my dear Madam, and forget it."it."


It is better to forgive the injustices of the past than It is better to forgive the injustices of the past than to allow them to remain, let bitterness take root to allow them to remain, let bitterness take root and poison the rest of our life."and poison the rest of our life."


Forgiveness restores relationships! Forgiveness restores relationships! (Col 3:12-13)(Col 3:12-13)


(Colossians 3:12-13 NKJV)(Colossians 3:12-13 NKJV) “Therefore, “Therefore, as as the the elect of God, holy and beloved, put elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;meekness, longsuffering; {13} {13} bearing with bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”must do.”


Forgiveness lets us partake of the character Forgiveness lets us partake of the character of God! of God! (2 Pt 1:4)(2 Pt 1:4)


(2 Peter 1:4 NKJV)(2 Peter 1:4 NKJV) “by which have been “by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption escaped the corruption that is that is in the world in the world through lust.”through lust.”


Do you know the joy and power of God's Do you know the joy and power of God's forgiveness? forgiveness?


A Test to determine if we have forgivenA Test to determine if we have forgiven


Do we get pleasure in their hurt?Do we get pleasure in their hurt?


Do we get pleasure in their hurt?Do we get pleasure in their hurt? Do we intentionally avoid being in their presence?Do we intentionally avoid being in their presence?


Do we get pleasure in their hurt?Do we get pleasure in their hurt? Do we intentionally avoid being in their presence?Do we intentionally avoid being in their presence? Do we vividly remember what we have suffered?Do we vividly remember what we have suffered?


Do we get pleasure in their hurt?Do we get pleasure in their hurt? Do we intentionally avoid being in their presence?Do we intentionally avoid being in their presence? Do we vividly remember what we have suffered?Do we vividly remember what we have suffered? Are we uncomfortable when they are praised?Are we uncomfortable when they are praised?


Do we get pleasure in their hurt?Do we get pleasure in their hurt? Do we intentionally avoid being in their presence?Do we intentionally avoid being in their presence? Do we vividly remember what we have suffered?Do we vividly remember what we have suffered? Are we uncomfortable when they are praised?Are we uncomfortable when they are praised? Do we go out of the way to be helpful to that Do we go out of the way to be helpful to that

person?person?


Do we get pleasure in their hurt?Do we get pleasure in their hurt? Do we intentionally avoid being in their presence?Do we intentionally avoid being in their presence? Do we vividly remember what we have suffered?Do we vividly remember what we have suffered? Are we uncomfortable when they are praised?Are we uncomfortable when they are praised? Do we go out of the way to be helpful to that Do we go out of the way to be helpful to that

person?person? Are we willing to pray for the person? Are we willing to pray for the person?

(Mt 5:43-45)(Mt 5:43-45)


(Matthew 5:43-45 NKJV)(Matthew 5:43-45 NKJV) “”You have heard that “”You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your hate your enemy.’enemy.’ {44} {44} “But I say to you, love “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,spitefully use you and persecute you, {45} {45} “that “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good,

and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”


Is this hard? Yes! But it is God's will and Is this hard? Yes! But it is God's will and we can do it!we can do it!


"A true Christian is a sign of contradiction--"A true Christian is a sign of contradiction--a living symbol of the Cross. He or she is a a living symbol of the Cross. He or she is a person who believes the unbelievable, bears person who believes the unbelievable, bears the unbearable, forgives the unforgivable, the unbearable, forgives the unforgivable, loves the unlovable, is perfectly happy not loves the unlovable, is perfectly happy not to be perfect, is willing to give up his or her to be perfect, is willing to give up his or her will, becomes weak to be strong ... and will, becomes weak to be strong ... and finds love be giving it away."finds love be giving it away."

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What does it mean to be a Christian? n Often we mistakenly check first on the externals. (Hos 6:6;...

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