Why Forgiveness is Necessary
PAST HURT that STILL HURTS
ANGER turns into BITTERNESS which turns into HARDEN HEARTS
HOLD BACK from MOVING FORWARD
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Why Forgive?
FORGIVENESS brings PEACE
Colossians 3:12-13
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Pray
James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Ephesians 4:1-3
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Matthew 5:43-44
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Matthew 6:9-12
Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.[a]
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,[b]
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,[c]
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Embrace Reconciliation
Romans 12:18
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
FORGIVENESS:
Is I DO:
I need to Forgive
FELLOWSHIP:
Is WE DO IF and ONLY IF:
Repentance
Change
Trust
Honor
Respect
2 Timothy 2:23-25
Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.24 And the Lord's servant[a] must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
Titus 3:10-11
As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Acknowledge the Hurt
FACE IT- FEEL IT- FORGIVE IT
Genesis 45:1
Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers.
Completely Surrender Punishment
Romans 12:17-19
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[a] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
FORGIVENESS IS:
About PEACE
FORGIVENESS IS NOT:
Justifying their Actions
Letting them off the Hook
Guarantee Reconciliation
Forgetting
Establish a Conversation
Romans 14:19
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Luke 23:34
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”[a]
Pray
Embrace Reconciliation
Acknowledge the Hurt
Completely Surrender Punishment
Establish a Conversation
FORGIVENESS brings PEACE
Father God, I’m ready to STOP ignoring or pretending like hurts in my past are not hurting my present. Please forgive me for holding on to unforgiveness- help me to forgive as you have forgiven me. Father, I AM going to forgive and let go of the hurt and anger. I thank you that you are healing me. I thank you that you are making me whole and setting me FREE. I completely forgive and lay my pain, and my suffering at your feet, in Jesus name! AMEN