OCTOBER 29 , 2006

QUIZ

1. A person should not be forgiven until he asks for it. T or F.

2. Forgiveness includes restoring trust and reuniting a relationship. T or F.

3. You haven't really forgiven until you've forgotten the offense. T or F.

What is real forgiveness?

I. What forgiveness is not:

A. Forgiveness isn't limited . Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered , No, not seven times but, seventy times seven . (Matthew 18:21-22).

Forgiveness benefits us more than it benefits the offender:

•  It breaks, or at least lessens, the cycle of hurt .

•  Unlimited forgiveness makes you more like Jesus . Father, forgive them for they don't know what they're doing,

•  Forgiveness is not resuming a relationship without change .

Resuming the relationship is called reconciliation , which involves three things:

•  Repentant

•  Restitution

•  Rebuilding trust

•  Forgiveness isn't forgetting what's happened. We are not “wired” to forget.

II. What forgiveness is:

A. First, forgiveness is to release your right to hurt back. Forgiveness is the right thing to do, because it keeps us from sinning .

B. Second, you adopt a new focus . You become one who forgives others.

When the forgiven man in the parable of Jesus would not forgive another person of a minor debt, the man was delivered to the torturers. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart , does not forgive his brother his trespasses (Mt 18:35).

•  The third stage is when you wish the other person well .

III. We all need to forgive. Why?

•  I need to forgive those who've hurt me, because God has forgiven me . The Bible says, Remember the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others (Luke 6:37) .

B. Because you are imperfect and will need to be forgiven. Jesus said in Mt. 6, For if you forgive men when they sin against you then your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your heavenly Father will not forgive your sins (14-15).

C. Because forgiveness breaks the control of resentment in my life.

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