Forgiveness is
“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” – Matthew 6:14-15 (NASB95)
(vv.21-22) Jesus’ point was to
(vv.23-27) I choose to forgive because
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. – Ephesians 4:32 (NASB95)
…bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you… – Colossians 3:13 (NASB95)
(vv.28-35) Forgiveness of others is evidence of
What else does scripture say about forgiveness?
1. Refusing to forgive is
“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.” – Mark 11:25 (NASB95)
2. Refusing to forgive invites into our lives
But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes. – 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 (NASB95)
Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you…” – Genesis 4:6 (NASB95)
3. Refusing to forgive produces
When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it. But it greatly displeased Jonah and he became angry. – Jonah 3:10-4:1 (NASB95)
See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled… – Hebrews 12:15 (NASB95)
4. Refusing to forgive affects us
The Big Question: How can I forgive?
1. Forgiveness is not always tied to an
2. Forgiveness is a and a
3. for the person who hurt you
4. Release the
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. – Romans: 12:19 (NASB95)
5. Forgiveness doesn’t always mean