Forgiveness
Forgiveness
The pain you feel today is the pain you can heal today
Bitterness
“…And make sure no one lives with a root of bitterness sprouting within them which will only cause trouble and poison the hearts of many.” Hebrews 12:15 TPT
Forgiveness is a choice
Why is it so hard to forgive others?
1. We have the wrong idea of forgiveness
Forgiveness is not:
- Minimizing the hurt you feel or the offense that took place
- Reconciliation
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 NIV
Forgiveness is our choice
I will not let my external circumstances dictate the condition of my heart
- Instant Restoration of Trust
Through true forgiveness, it is possible to build trust again
2. We don’t think its fair
Forgiveness
For(Give)ness
“but God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8 NLT
If we are waiting for the other person to be worthy of forgiveness we will never forgive
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT
3. We don’t think we can forgive
“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
“THE LESSONS OF FORGIVENESS IN HEAVEN’S KINGDOM REALM CAN BE ILLUSTRATED LIKE THIS: THERE ONCE WAS A KING WHO HAD SERVANTS WHO HAD BORROWED MONEY FROM THE ROYAL TREASURY. HE DECIDED TO SETTLE ACCOUNTS WITH EACH OF THEM. AS HE BEGAN THE PROCESS, IT CAME TO HIS ATTENTION THAT ONE OF HIS SERVANTS OWED HIM ONE BILLION DOLLARS. SO HE SUMMONED THE SERVANT BEFORE HIM AND SAID TO HIM, ‘PAY ME WHAT YOU OWE ME.’ WHEN HIS SERVANT WAS UNABLE TO REPAY HIS DEBT, THE KING ORDERED THAT HE BE SOLD AS A SLAVE ALONG WITH HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN AND EVERY POSSESSION THEY OWNED AS PAYMENT TOWARD HIS DEBT. THE SERVANT THREW HIMSELF FACEDOWN AT HIS MASTER’S FEET AND BEGGED FOR MERCY. ‘PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH ME. JUST GIVE ME MORE TIME AND I WILL REPAY YOU ALL THAT I OWE.’ UPON HEARING HIS PLEAS, THE KING HAD COMPASSION ON HIS SERVANT, AND RELEASED HIM, AND FORGAVE HIS ENTIRE DEBT.”
“NO SOONER HAD THE SERVANT LEFT WHEN HE MET ONE OF HIS FELLOW SERVANTS, WHO OWED HIM TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS. HE SEIZED HIM BY THE THROAT AND BEGAN TO CHOKE HIM, SAYING, ‘YOU’D BETTER PAY ME RIGHT NOW EVERYTHING YOU OWE ME!’ HIS FELLOW SERVANT THREW HIMSELF FACEDOWN AT HIS FEET AND BEGGED, ‘PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH ME. IF YOU’LL JUST GIVE ME TIME, I WILL REPAY YOU ALL THAT IS OWED.’
“BUT THE ONE WHO HAD HIS DEBT FORGIVEN STUBBORNLY REFUSED TO FORGIVE WHAT WAS OWED TO HIM. HE HAD HIS FELLOW SERVANT THROWN INTO PRISON AND DEMANDED HE REMIAN THERE UNTIL HE REPAID THE DEBT IN FULL”
“WHEN HIS ASSOCIATES SAW WHAT WAS GOING ON, THEY WERE OUTRAGED AND WENT TO THE KING AND TOLD HIM THE WHOLE STORY. THE KING SAID TO HIM ‘YOU SCOUNDREL! IS THIS THE WAY YOU RESPOND TO MY MERCY? BECAUSE YOU BEGGED ME, I FORGAVE YOU THE MASSIVE DEBT THAT YOU OWED ME. WHY DIDN’T YOU SHOW THE SAME MERCY TO YOUR FELLOW SERVANT THAT I SHOWED TO YOU?
“IN A FURY OF ANGER, THE KING TURNED HIM OVER TO THE PRISON GUARDS TO BE TORTURED UNTIL ALL HIS DEBT WAS REPAID. IN THIS SAME WAY, MY HEAVENLY FATHER WILL DEAL WITH ANY OF YOU IF YOU DO NOT RELEASE FORGIVENESS FROM YOUR HEART…” MATTHEW 18:23-35 TPT
“…RELEASE FORGIVENESS FROM YOUR HEART…” MATTHEW 18:35 TPT
“FORGIVENESS IS SETTING THE PRISONER FREE, ONLY TO FIND OUT THE PRISONER WAS ME” CORRIE TEN BOOM
There is freedom on the other side of your forgiveness
1. Examine Your Heart and Be Honest with Yourself
You cannot win a battle you won’t admit you’re in
“Leave your troubles with the lord, and he will defend you; he never lets honest people be defeated.” Psalms 55:22 GNTD
2. Realize That God Knew There Would Be Offenses in our Lives and That He Equipped Us with All We Need to Properly Forgive
“…It’s impossible...” Luke 17:1 NKJV
“Then He said to His disciples…It’s impossible that no offenses should come…” Luke 17:1 NKJV
“Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all clothe yourselves with LOVE, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.” Colossians 3:13-15 NLT
Love
3. Make the Choice to Forgive and Continue to Forgive
Forgiveness is not a One-Time Thing
“THEN PETER CAME TO HIM AND ASKED, ‘LORD, HOW OFTEN SHOULD I FORGIVE SOMEONE WHO SINS AGAINST ME? SEVEN TIMES?” “NO, NOT SEVEN TIMES,” JESUS REPLIED, “BUT SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN!” MATTHEW 18:21-22
4. Pray for the One Who Hurt You
“Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
Take Home: Forgive Someone You Need to Forgive
THE ACT OF GIVING UP CONTROL TO JESUS IS ACTUALLY THE BEGINNING OF FREEDOM!
Trust in the lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees. Psalms 119:68 NIV
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. James 4:8 NLT
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalms 37:23 NLT
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9 NLT
WHAT YOU HOLD ONTO BECOMES YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN, BUT WHAT YOU SURRENDER TO GOD HE BARES.
Then Jesus said, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NLT
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you 1 Peter 5:7 NLT
3 AREAS WE MUST SURRENDER
1. MATERIALISM
You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. Revelation 3:17 NLT
The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. Matthew 13:22 NLT
ASK YOURSELF IF THERE IS ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE YOU WOULD’NT GIVE UP IF GOD ASKED YOU TO. THEN ASK WHY?
Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17 NLT
ACTION STEP: EVALUATE THE GIVING IN YOUR LIFE.
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. Proverbs 3:9-10 ESV
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:21,24,33 NLT
And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life. Psalms 62:10 NLT
“Don't set your mind on things you don't possess as if they were yours, but count the blessings you actually possess and think how much you would desire them if they weren't already yours." -Marcus Aurelius
2. RELATIONSHIPS
If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26 NLT
For the believing wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the believing husband brings holiness to his marriage….Don’t you wives realize that your husbands might be saved because of you? And don’t you husbands realize that your wives might be saved because of you? 1 Corinthians 7:14;16 NLT
even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. Hebrews 11:18-19 NLT
ACTION STEP: EVALUATE IF THERE IS A RELATIONSHIP THAT HAS COME BETWEEN YOU AND GOD.
3. MYSELF
This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. Habakkuk 2:3 NLT
ACTION STEP: EVALUATE WHETHER YOU THINK YOUR WAYS ARE BETTER THAN HIS.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 NLT
My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:20-23 NLT
SPIRITUALLY OUR HEARTS REVEAL THE HEALTH OF OUR LIVES.
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 NLT
The lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 NLT
FOUR BLOCKAGES OF THE HEART
1. SELFISHNESS
Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23 NLT
BLOCKAGE CAN OCCUR WHEN WE WANT TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR OURSELVES RATHER THAN WHAT IS BEST FOR GOD!
He (JESUS) chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. Hebrews 11:25 NLT
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:14-16 NIV
2. BITTERNESS
It is impossible that no offenses should come… Luke 17:1 NKJV
A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel. Proverbs 18:19 NIV
3. REJECTION
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Proverbs 18:21 NLT
4. EVIL THOUGHTS
For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” Mark 7:21-23 NLT
THE HEART GOD DESIRES FOR US
A Heart for HIM
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NLT
As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, “God is truly here among you.” 1 Corinthians 14:25 NLT
A Heart for others
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:8-9 NLT
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10 NLT
Love is not love unless it is felt and seen
ACTION STEPS
And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. Ezekiel 36:26-27 NLT
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalms 139:23-24 NLT
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Psalms 51:10 NLT
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18
Freedom
God desires for you to live in freedom
“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters.” Galatians 5:13
“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling. For you have been called by God.” Ephesians 4:1 NLT
You can’t lead a life that is worthy of the calling God gave you if you aren’t walking in the freedom that He designed you to live in
To live in freedom we must choose freedom
Tree of Life
The Tree of Life takes the focus off me and my strengths and puts the focus on God and His strengths
“For I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Freedom was never meant to be hard
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me…” Matthew 11:28
“And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to Earth.” John 17:3
The only way to experience freedom and life in its fullest is by truly knowing Jesus
Intimacy with God is what produces innocence in our lives
“If you love me, obey my commandments.” John 14:15
“...they realized they were naked.” Genesis 3:7 NIV
But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” Matthew 19:14
Innocence is a Conduit of God’s Power
How to Live from the Tree of Life
Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2
1. Understand fully your relationship with God
“Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.” Galatians 4:7
Do you live as an heir or as a slave?
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.” Romans 5:1-2
2. You must recognize the choice between life and death
The choice is ours
God’s will and direction always aligns with His word and leads us to life. If it is against His word it will lead us to death.
“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.... Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.” Colossians 3:5;10
“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So, letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.” Romans 8:5-7
3. Renew your mind through the word of God
You must replace the devil’s lies with the Truth of God
When we read the word, speak the word, and believe the word we defeat the devil!
“Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:21-24
“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9