The first lesson is that we must have God’s glory as our motive for finding freedom frombitterness. It is easy to have their own glory as the motive for finding freedom; to want to befree in order to feel better about & with ourselves,. Our higher calling is to do all to the gloryof God. God’s glory must be the first priority of our lives (Psalm 63:2; Psalm 79:9; Proverbs25:27; John 7:18). As we also begin to work for the glory of God, instead of for our ownglory, we find that our own lives are fulfilled and the sting of bitterness will disappear.
Hebrews 1:1-4 (NKJV)God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by theprophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointedheir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightnessof His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the wordof His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand ofthe Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has byinheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
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Eph 4:30-32 (Amplified)And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex orsadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded asGod's own, secured) for the day of redemption (of finaldeliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences ofsin). Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage,bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarrelling(brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusiveor blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice(spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind). And become useful andhelpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate,understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily andfreely], as God in Christ forgave you.
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Outline
The Purpose: Why study forgiveness?The Definitions: What is and isn’t forgiveness?Other Struggles: What else is associated with forgiveness?The Consequences: What are the results of lack of forgiveness?The Decision: What is extremely important to decide?The Search: Where do we harbor an unforgiving spirit?The Path: What are the tools & steps toward forgiveness?
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The Main Purpose to forgive is the Glory of God.Some of the results of this are:
To be like Christ in our daily livesPhil. 3:10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and thefellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
To Restore Fellowship between Us & GodTo Restore Fellowship between Others & MyselfTo Gain the Peace of God in our lives
Col 3:13-15Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a
quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Andabove all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye arecalled in one body; and be ye thankful.
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Relevant Verses:Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgaveyou, so also do ye.Mt 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.Mr 11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.Matt. 6:9 Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.Eph 4:30-32 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness,and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another,tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sakehath forgiven you.
Strongs:Kind = "Fit for use" & "Pleasant“/ Tenderhearted = "Compassionate“/ Forgiving = "To give" & "To do afavour to"
Forgive is not always the same Greek word:Eph 4:32 5483 carizomai charizomai khar-id’-zom-ahee
AV-forgive 11, give 6, freely give 2, deliver 2, grant 1, frankly forgive 1; 231) to do something pleasant or agreeable (to one), to do a favour to, gratify
Matt 6:12 & in much of the Gospels - 863 afihmi aphiemi af-ee’-ay-meeto cause a debt to go away - AV-leave 52, forgive 47, suffer 14, let 8, forsake 6, let alone
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What it is not:Reconciliation
II Cor. 5:19-20 – God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself/ Be ye reconciled to God
There are two parts in the above verse – ours and his; In forgiveness, there is just one part - ours
Luke 23:34 “Father forgive them”… “And they parted his garments”
There was no part that the soldier’s played in this forgiveness. But In order to reconcile, there must be forgiveness.Conditional
If you do this, I will forgive you/ If you repent, I will forgive you
Most of us have it in our minds that forgiveness requires repentance (as in Salvation)
- Luke 13:3 – Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
We are to forgive unconditionally – Until “seventy times seven” (Mt 18:21,22)
Approval of EvilIt is NOT Saying it is OK and going back into an abusive situation
It is NOT A Pardon Justice & Mercy Co-Exist Hosea 2:19: I will betroth you to me … in justice, … and in mercy.
DenialDenial can sometimes ease the pain initially but there comes a time when the wrong has to be faced. It’s like retreating –it will work for awhile and allow one to regroup but facing the hurt must come – otherwise it will come out in other ways andpossibly as an explosion against others that we love.
We can deny unconsciously but it will cause disastrous results. It is pretense that we are not hurt
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What it is:
No additional Notes (Scriptures in the above slide)
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The Saviour with the soldiers (no reconciliation)Luke 23:33-34 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, therethey crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they partedhis raiment, and cast lots.
Joseph with his brothers (a sort of reconciliation)Genesis 45:3-5 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yetlive? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near.And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be notgrieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me beforeyou to preserve life.
The Father of the Prodigal Son (true reconciliation)Luke 15: 20-23 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a greatway off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, andkissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and inthy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to hisservants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, andshoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and bemerry:
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The following statement is from "Forgiveness is a Choice" - RobertEnright - with alterations:When unjustly hurt by another, we forgive when we through the Spiritovercome the bitterness toward the offender, not by denying our right tofeel wronged but instead by trying to offer the wrongdoer compassion,benevolence and love; realizing that the offender has no right to ourpositive expressions even as we don’t have a right to God’s forgiveness.
Forgiveness involves giving up something that we believe is ours andgiving it to another who does not deserve it.
Forgiveness defies the logic of the way that our society is and our ownbelief system regarding justice (one has to pay for what one does).
Unforgiveness is a sin against God, even when we are wrongedsignificantly.
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Mat 18:23-35Therefore is the kingdom of heaven is likened unto a certain king, which wouldtake account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one wasbrought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as hehad not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children,and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down,and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay theeall. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him,and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of hisfellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him,and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And hisfellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patiencewith me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him intoprison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what wasdone, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wickedservant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest notthou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity onthee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till heshould pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father doalso unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother theirtrespasses.
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Relevant Verses:
Eph 4:30 – 31 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto theday of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evilspeaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Heb 12:14-15 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall seethe Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root ofbitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Definitions - Strongs:Eph 4:30
Grieve = to be sorrowful, to offendBitterness = extreme wickedness, hatred, producing bitter fruitWrath = Passionate and boiling up with angerAnger = The Natural Disposition of TemperClamour = Crying out (upset with what is happening)Evil Speaking = speech injurious to another's name
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Relevant Verses:Acts 8:22-23 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heartmay be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquityHeb 12:15 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Lookingdiligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, andthereby many be defiled;Definitions - Strongs:Acts 8:22,23 gall of bitterness
1) bitter gall 1a) extreme wickedness 1b) a bitter root, and so producing a bitter fruit1c) metaph. bitterness, bitter hatred
Romans 3:14 "Full of bitterness“1) a prayer, a supplication 2) an imprecation, curse, malediction
Heb 12:15 "root of bitterness"1) bitter gall 1a) extreme wickedness 1b) a bitter root, and so producing a bitter fruit1c) metaph. bitterness, bitter hatred
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Definitions of Resentment and Bitterness on the Web:
Resentment: a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will / a rough and bitter mannerBitter: the taste experience when quinine or coffee is taken into the mouth/ the property of having a harshunpleasant tastewordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
Resentment is the experience of a negative emotion (anger or hatred, for instance) Murphy, Jeffrey G.“Forgiveness and Resentment.” Midwest Studies in Philosophy. Vol 7, Issue 1, pp 503–516. 28 Jun 2008.felt as a result of a real or imagined wrong done. ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitterness_(emotion)
the quality of having a bitter taste; the quality of feeling bitter; acrimony, resentmenten.wiktionary.org/wiki/bitterness
bitter - acrimonious: marked by strong resentment or cynicism; "an acrimonious dispute"; "bitter about thedivorce"bitter - expressive of severe grief or regret; "shed bitter tears"bitter - proceeding from or exhibiting great hostility or animosity; "a bitter struggle"; "bitter enemies"wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
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Recipients of my Bitterness:
The OffenderMt 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sinagainst me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say notunto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
MyselfPsalm 51:3,4 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever beforeme. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: thatthou mightest be justified when thou speakest.
GodLuke 15:28-30 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came hisfather out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, thesemany years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thycommandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merrywith my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devouredthy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
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Bitterness Against Ourselves:
Scripture does not condone it!!Philippians 4: 8,9Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoeverthings are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoeverthings are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoeverthings are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there beany praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye haveboth learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do:and the God of peace shall be with you.
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Both types bring about this thought:I can do no right, therefore I am no good anddeserve no right”
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Other Signs of the Absence of Self-Forgiveness.
* Self-pity.* An emotional vacuum in which little or no emotions are shown or shared.* Disrespectful treatment of self (and others).* Self-destructive behaviors.* Chronic recalling and reminding of past failures, mistakes, errors and offenses.* Suspicions about others' motives, behaviors, attitudes and beliefs.* Chronic depression.* Chronic hostility, sarcasm and cynicism.* Self name-calling, belittling and self-demeaning behaviors.* Unwillingness to change and/or unwillingness to seek the help necessary to change.* Resistance to doing what is necessary to heal within and recover from low self-esteem.* I hurt myself so much; how can I ever expect to be forgiven for that?* No one deserved the treatment I dished out, and I do not believe in my forgiveness* I am sick over what I did; how can I ever forgive myself?* I must be inherently evil, and I am despicable. No forgiveness will ever change that.* It is a sign of weakness or softness to forgive myself.* Only God can forgive me, though at times I don't believe He can* What has happened in my life is God's seeking revenge for all the evil I have done* I do not deserve any self-kindness, self-compassion or self-forgiveness* I resent myself for hurting myself or others. It is better for me to be hidden
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Self-forgiveness…Romans 8:16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: Romans 7: 18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to performthat which is good I find not.The act of letting go of the need to work so hard to make up for your past offenses. Eph 2:8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God
In the absence of self-forgiveness, you run the risk of:* Unresolved hurt, pain and suffering from self-destructive behaviors.* Chronically seeking revenge and paybacks toward yourself.* Being caught up in unresolved self-anger, self-hatred and self-blaming.* Defensive and distant behavior with others.* Pessimism, negativity and non-growth oriented behavior.* Having a festering wound that never allows the revitalization of self-healing.* Fear over making new mistakes or of having the old mistakes revealed..
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Rom.3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of GodRom 7:18 For I am conscious that in me, that is, in my flesh, there is nothing good: I have the mind but not the power to do what is right.Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf;and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us awayII Cor. 12:10 So I take pleasure in being feeble, in unkind words, in needs, in cruel attacks, in troubles, on account of Christ:for when I am feeble, then am I strong.Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he oughtto think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.Prov 23:7 For as the thoughts of his heart are, so is heII Cor. 10:12,18 For we will not make comparison of ourselves with some of those who say good things about themselves: but these,measuring themselves by themselves, and making comparison of themselves with themselves, are not wise. For not he that commendethhimself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.John 3:16 For God had such love for the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever has faith in him may not come to destruction buthave eternal lifeGen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image (likeness)Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform thatwhich is good I find not.Gal. 2:20 I have been put to death on the cross with Christ; still I am living; no longer I, but Christ is living in me; and that life which I nowam living in the flesh I am living by faith, the faith of the Son of God, who in love for me, gave himself up for me.Romans 8:38,39 For I am certain that not death, or life, or angels, or rulers, or things present, or things to come, or powers, Or things onhigh, or things under the earth, or anything which is made, will be able to come between us and the love of God which is in Christ Jesus ourLord.
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Self Worth and Lack of Self Forgiveness
Ga 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live;yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the lifewhich I now live in the flesh I live by the faith ofthe Son of God, who loved me, and gavehimself for me.
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An Example of Self Guilt Overcome - PaulThe pictures shows Paul at the murder of Stephen
I Timothy 1: 12-16 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that hecounted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and apersecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. Andthe grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into theworld to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that inme first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which shouldhereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
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An Example of Self Guilt Overcome - Paul , (cont’d)
Paul was a persecutor and a murderer before he became a Christian. Yet God used him in a tremendous way. How was his guiltovercome?Realization of his sin was always with him. It is mentioned several times in his writingsI Cor. 15:9. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.Knowing that God had completely forgiven him could have resulted in a greater dedication Luke 7:42,43.The opposite of this can cause complacency in those raised in a Christian environment. He realised that Christ "enabled" him, not himself.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by thefaith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
If Christ could reach out and change Paul, he could change anyone else.Note: II Corinthians 12: 1-10It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen yearsago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: Godknoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such anone will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say thetruth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. And lest I shouldbe exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan tobuffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For thisthing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is madeperfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I takepleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.Judges 7:2And the Lord said to Gideon, So great is the number of your people, that if I give the Midianites into their hands they will be uplifted in prideover me and will say, I myself have been my saviour.
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The Healing Process
Eph 4:32 God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
John 1: 6-7 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth : But if we walk inthe light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us fromall sin.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Col 3:15 The Peace of God will fill your heart And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called inone body; and be ye thankful.
Do not allow others to condemn usDo not allow our self to condemn usRomans 8:31If God be for us, who can be against us?
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The Healing Process- Make a Positive List
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Mt 6:15 AV But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.Mr 11:25 AV And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heavenmay forgive you your trespasses.What does it mean? Will God not forgive us, if we do not forgive others? Conditional Salvation is not what God offers (if then)Mt 18:15-35 AV “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: ifhe shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in themouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church:but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you,Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed inheaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall bedone for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in themidst of them. Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seventimes? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdomof heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one wasbrought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to besold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, andworshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved withcompassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants,which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.And his fellowservant fell down at hisfeet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him intoprison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and toldunto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgavethee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as Ihad pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he shouldpay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses.”
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What does it mean – that God will not forgive us, if we do not forgive others?Conditional Salvation is not what God offers (if then)Position: “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”Joh 10:29Practice “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of JesusChrist his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1Jo 1:7 AV)Lu 11:4 AV Prayer starts at verse “1” and ends at verse 4“And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver usfrom evil.”Joh 13:1-15 AV“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world untothe Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devilhaving now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given allthings into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments;and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and towipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dostthou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washedneedeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him;therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set downagain, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If Ithen, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you anexample, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
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Ps 66:18 AVIf I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will nothear me:
1Jo 1:7 AVBut if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, wehave fellowship one with another, and the blood ofJesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
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I John 1:7 AVWalk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowshipone with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Soncleanseth us from all sin.”
Ro 12:19 AV“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather giveplace unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; Iwill repay, saith the Lord.”
Ne 8:10 AV“Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, anddrink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whomnothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord:neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is yourstrength.”
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Mr 11:21-26 AV “And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thouremoved, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come topass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive[them], and ye shall have [them]. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any:that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is inheaven forgive your trespasses.”
Ro 6:1-13 AV The ability to request of God that the evils in our life (mountains) be removed (as the fig tree was – something that was ofno value) lies in our effort to forgive “anyone” for “anything”.“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longertherein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried withhim by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk innewness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection:Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Forhe that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ beingraised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that heliveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but aliveunto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neitheryield ye your members [as] instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead,and your members [as] instruments of righteousness unto God.”Note Romans 6:5 versus I Corinthians 15:35-38V.5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection:
I Corinthians 15:35-38 “But some [man] will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? [Thou] fool, thatwhich thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, itmay chance of wheat, or of some other [grain]: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.”Even as we will be changed in the next life, even so, God can plant us (through burial of the old man) to rise up as a new life (even as aburied seed produces a plant).
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Jas 1:19 AV“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear,slow to speak, slow to wrath:”
Eph 4:31 AV“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evilspeaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”
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Eph 4:26,27 AV “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil” Eph 4:26-27 ESV“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to thedevil.”Eph 4:26-27 YLT “be angry and do not sin; let not the sun go down upon your wrath, neither give place to the devil;” Eph 4:26-27 WEY“If angry, beware of sinning. Let not your irritation last until the sun goes down; and do not leaveroom for the Devil.”Eph 4:26-27 NIV "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
Jas 1:18-21 AV “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Wherefore, mybeloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness ofGod. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able tosave your souls.”
Mr 3:5 AV “And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto theman, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched [it] out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.”
Ro 12:19 AV “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance[is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
Vindication is justifying yourselfVengeance is the desire of revenge (as well as other meanings)
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1Sa 18:11 AV “And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall [with it]. And David avoided out of his presencetwice.”David didn’t need forgiveness but Saul needed to forgive him (in his mind) Sometimes we are mad at people and feel they have wronged
us since what they did hurt our pride.Jas 1:20 AV “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”2Co 5:17 AV “Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.And all things are of God”2Co 5:14-18 RSV “For the love of Christ controls us, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And hedied for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on,therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once regarded Christ from a human point of view, we regard himthus no longer. Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. All this is fromGod, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;”Ps 51:4 AV “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done [this] evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest,[and] be clear when thou judgest.”Jas 5:16-18 NKJV Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayerof a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rainon the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.It may be very dry and look hopeless but we can pray that God melt our hearts and thus fruit be produced.
Mt 5:21-26 AV “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of thejudgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoevershall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Thereforeif thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, andgo thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the waywith him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.”Ga 6:1-2 AV “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness;considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”Jas 5:19-20 NKJV Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns asinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
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Eph 6:18 KJVPraying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with allperseverance and supplication for all saints;
Mat 5:43-44 KJVYe have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them thathate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
This love is “agapao” to love much in a social or moral sense. It is the right thing to do.
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Pro 17:17A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Deu 6:9-12And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. And it shall be,when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thyfathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, whichthou buildedst not, And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wellsdigged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not;when thou shalt have eaten and be full; Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, whichbrought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
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2Co 12:10 KJVTherefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions,in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Psa 51:2-3 KJVWash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledgemy transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
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Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they partedhis raiment, and cast lots.
Mat 8:5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseechinghim,Mat 8:6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
Mat 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw theearthquake, and those things that were done, they (vehemently) feared greatly, saying, Truly this wasthe Son of God.
Act 10:22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of goodreport among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee intohis house, and to hear words of thee.
Centurion: Captain of 100 soldiers.
Act 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. Andwhen he had said this, he fell asleep.
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Mat 5:43-44 KJVYe have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thineenemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, dogood to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, andpersecute you;
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1Sa 19:10 -11And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out ofSaul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning:and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, tomorrow thou shalt beslain.
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Mat 18:15-19Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault betweenthee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will nothear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or threewitnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell itunto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathenman and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall bebound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing thatthey shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 18:20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst ofthem.
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Mar 9:23Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible tohim that believeth.
When I call on Jesus, All things are possibleI can mount on wings like eagles' and soar
Nicole C MullenIsa 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shallmount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; andthey shall walk, and not faint.
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