“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
Luke 23:34 (NKJV)
Jesus is our greatest example of true forgiveness. He forgave the people who wrongfully harmed Him, to such an extent that He even asked His Father to forgive them. Forgiveness is unconditionally and completely letting go of the wrong done to you and not keeping an account against someone or something.
How Does God Forgive us?
“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”
Hebrews 8:12 (NKJV)
God not only releases us from what we did wrong, but He also remembers it no more.
How Should we Forgive Others?
“17Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.”
Hebrews 10:17-18 (NKJV)
“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.”
Colossians 3:13 (NKJV)
We need to forgive like Jesus did. God is just and therefore all sin must be accounted and paid for. Jesus’ death on the cross, completely fulfilled the requirement for the penalty of our sins, no additional offering is required. In the same manner, we need to forgive people without holding a record of wrong against them.
Forgiving someone does not mean that we agree with the wrong they committed or that we allow the wrong to continue. Rather, forgiveness means that we do not have resentment or bitterness in our hearts towards that person for what they did.
To Whom Should we Confess our sin, in Order to Receive Forgiveness?
“Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are proved right when You speak and justified when You judge.”
Psalm 51:4 (NIV)
We confess our sins to God, for all sins are ultimately against God.
When Should we Confess our sin to Another Person?
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective”
James 5:16 (NIV)
When we need prayer for healing and victory in an area of our lives we should confess our sins to another person. Many times when we battle with habitual sin, we need to humble ourselves by becoming accountable to someone else. This act of humility releases the grace of God and empowers us to overcome with the help and support of other people.
Should we Forgive Others who Have Sinned Against us?
“34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35This is how My Heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
Matthew 18:34-35 (NIV)
Our unforgiveness will not only stand between us and the person who wronged us, but will also become an obstacle between God and ourselves.
How Often Should we Forgive People who sin Against us?
“21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?’ 22Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy seven times.’”
Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV)
As many times as needed. How many times would you like Jesus to forgive you? In the same way we should forgive others, cultivating a lifestyle of forgiveness.
What Happens When we Refuse to Forgive?
“See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
Hebrews 12:15 (NIV)
When we refuse to forgive, we will be tormented and defiled by a root of bitterness, and influence other people to also become bitter towards that person. Unforgiveness will result in personal strife and a lack of victory in our own lives.
QUESTIONS
• Do you believe God has forgiven you of your repented sin?
Is there any person that you feel you need to forgive for something they did against you, or are there people you need to ask forgiveness from?
‘Are you accountable to someone? Who? When last have you spoken to them?
Is there any area in your life where you experience a lack of God's grace?
This Week:
• I will apply
• I will share with