Childlike Qualities: Forgiveness

1. Childlike Qualities: Forgiveness Matthew 18:3 - And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

2. Forgiving One Another "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Col. 3:13 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.“ Eph.4:32

3. What is Forgiveness ? • Ignoring those who wrong us • Refusing to hit back • Overlooking the sin • Putting on probation It is not… How God forgives • Removes wrong from record - Acts 3:19 “blotted out” • Forgets - Heb. 8:12 “remember no more”

4. Importance of Forgiving One Another It is a command Col. 3:13 “forgiving one another” Mark 11:25-26 - forgive so God can forgive you Example of Christ Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” 1 Peter 2:21-23 “follow his steps” Example of Stephen Acts 7:60 “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.”

5. Importance of Forgiving One Another We have been forgiven Eph. 4:32 “even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Matt. 18:23-35 - would not forgive small debt Forgive to be forgiven Matt. 6:12-15 If we do not forgive another, we clog the channel through which divine forgiveness flows.

7. Attitudes Toward Forgiveness “I cannot forgive” 1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” God does not require the impossible “I will not forgive” Remember Jesus & Stephen

8. Attitudes Toward Forgiveness “I'll forgive you, but in the future will have nothing to do with you” Eph. 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” When we forgive we treat the person as if the offense had never happened!

9. Attitudes Toward Forgiveness “It’s a favor from me to you” The reverse is true The offender can be forgiven of God without my extending forgiveness, but I cannot be forgiven unless I forgive Him. “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Mt.6:15

10. Attitudes Toward Forgiveness “I'll forgive you, but I'll never forget it.” This is not forgiveness Acts 3:19 sins are “blotted out” Smear out Obliterate Pardon Wipe away

11. Have I really forgiven my offender ? “TEST” • Do I secretly rejoice about a misfortune coming to my offender ? • Do I purposefully avoid his presence ? • Do I speak to him hesitatingly ? • Do I vividly remember the wrong committed ? • Do I ever sit in silence and meditate and brood over the wrong done me ? • Could I happily and anxiously go to God in prayer in my offenders behalf ? • Have I sought an opportunity to do him a favor ? Romans 12:17-21

12. How Do You Forgive ? • Remember how much you have been forgiven • Ask God’s Assistance • Pray for your Offender • Forgive as God Forgives • Col. 3:13 “as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” • Freely • Abundantly • Immediately • Finally • Often

13. How Often Must We Forgive ? Matthew 18:21-22 3 times 7 times 70 x 7 ------ No Limit to Forgiveness Not a matter of bookkeeping Matter of love and love has no limits

14. Who Must Take the Initiative ? The Offender Matt. 5:23-24 The Offended Matt. 18:15-17 Both Both will take the initiative Reconciliation will follow

15. Forgiving One Another Forgiveness - Quotes “To err is human, to forgive, divine.” -- Alexander Pope “The Best way to get even is to forget.”