Hey Gang,
We began a new series last week on ways believers are to relate to one another. We live in a selfish world. Society promotes individualism and encourages us to always look out for number one. But the Bible teaches something completely different, it says that the Christian life involves community and the fulfillment of certain reciprocal responsibilities toward one another. Many of these responsibilities are found in the "one another" commands of the New Testament - the first was to Love One Another and this week we examine what it means to Forgive One Another.
We began a new series last week on ways believers are to relate to one another. We live in a selfish world. Society promotes individualism and encourages us to always look out for number one. But the Bible teaches something completely different, it says that the Christian life involves community and the fulfillment of certain reciprocal responsibilities toward one another. Many of these responsibilities are found in the "one another" commands of the New Testament - the first was to Love One Another and this week we examine what it means to Forgive One Another.
Are we expected to forgive in all circumstances?
Home plate umpire Jim Joyce, left, shakes hands with Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga.
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Forgiveness at the Shack
Forgiveness at the Shack
Many of you have read this fictional Christian book
Papa says, “I want to take away one more thing that darkens your heart.” Mack must forgive the man who killed his daughter, about whom Mack had earlier said “damn him to hell, if I can’t get justice, I still want revenge.”
Papa’s response is this, “Mack, for you to forgive this man is for you to release him to Me and allow Me to redeem him.”
Papa says, “I want to take away one more thing that darkens your heart.” Mack must forgive the man who killed his daughter, about whom Mack had earlier said “damn him to hell, if I can’t get justice, I still want revenge.”
Papa’s response is this, “Mack, for you to forgive this man is for you to release him to Me and allow Me to redeem him.”
The title of the book is a metaphor for "the house you build out of your own pain, the places you get stuck, you get hurt, you get damaged - the thing where shame or hurt is centered."
Forgiveness at the Past
During World War II, Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsie suffered confinement in Ravensbruck, a German prison camp, for sheltering Jews in Holland from Nazi persecutors. Corrie and Betsie endured the deplorable conditions of undernourishment and disease and harsh treatment by cruel Nazi guards. Betsie became one of thousands to die in the prison.
Corrie survived her imprisonment and returned home. Following the war, she visited Germany to tell the German people of God's great love for them in Christ. She also assured the German people of God's willingness to release them from their heavy load of guilt.
After she spoke in one church, a man approached and greeted her. She recognized him as one of the cruelest Ravensbruck guards. He did not recognize her. He acknowledged to her that he had worked in Ravensbruck and that since the war, he had become a Christian. He said that he was assured of God's forgiveness but that he hoped to receive hers as well. He asked her directly to forgive him and extended his hand to her. The man's wrongs against her and Betsie pressed hard upon her. It was all Corrie could do in sending up an urgent prayer confessing that she lacked any feelings of forgiveness. She told God that she would extend her hand in an act of her will and trust Him to supply the sincerity. As she extended her arm, she felt the power and love of God in her shoulder, arm, and hand. She clasped the man's hand warmly and told him that she forgave him from the heart!
How are we to forgive?
I. CHRIST IS THE EXAMPLE – COLOSSIANS 3:12-13
Therefore, God's chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must [forgive].
When you’re the one who’s been hurt by someone, what are you suppose to do? What is your understanding of forgiveness?
Matthew 6:12-15; 18:21; Mark 11:25; Luke 6:37; 11:4; 17:3-4; John 20:23; Ephesians 4:32
What advice would you give to these two common statements?
1. “There are some people I just can’t forgive”
2. “There are some things I just can’t forgive”
Are we supposed to forgive a person who is unrepentant of their sin? Where in the Bible does the term forgiveness ever apply to an unrepentant person?
Luke 17:3-4; Matthew 18:15-20; Matthew 5:21-24; 1 Corinthians 5:1-9; Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27; Luke 6:35; Romans 12:19-20
Question: If you forgive someone without repentance, what is the need or purpose of repentance? Is this not an example of cheap grace?
Divine Forgiveness & Horizontal Forgiveness --- Unconditional?
Forgiving someone does not excuse their actions, but it does release them from our judgment into the hands of God Who will handle justice in His time. Forgiveness means that we are no longer vindictive, seeking to do the other harm.
What if our forgiveness doesn’t lead to reconciliation?
- Forgiveness is not reconciliation. It only takes one to forgive, but it takes two to reconcile. Forgiveness is something that happens in our souls without respect to who the offender is, what they have done, or how they feel about what they have done. Forgiveness is a gift to ourselves by the power of the Spirit who enables us to exercise the love of God in our own hearts. To forgive is to be free. To forgive is to be like God and share His love.
What Should Forgiveness Look Like
Here is forgiveness: when you feel that someone is your enemy or when you simply feel that you or someone you care about has been wronged, forgiveness means:
1. You resist thoughts of revenge. (Romans 12:19)
2. You don’t return evil for evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:15)
3. You wish them well. (Luke 6:28)
4. You grieve at their calamities. (Proverbs 24:17)
5. You pray for their welfare. (Matthew 5:44)
6. You seek reconciliation so far as it depends on you. (Romans 12:18)
7. You come to their aid in distress. (Exodus 23:4)
A Son Forgives His Father in Prison
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A video about forgiveness with Mary Karen Read's last words in her journal entry before her death at the Virginia tech shooting.
Jesus said, "It's more blessed to Give than to Receive"
My conclusion to whether it's a biblical command to forgive unconditional and/or is it a good idea from a psychological perspective:
- Willingness to forgive is a universal command for Christians.
- Ridding ourselves of bitterness, anger, and resentment is an unqualified command as well.
- Apologizing is not required for true forgiveness, but apologizing and repenting are necessary for reconciliation.
- Forgiveness is both an event (a decision) and a process.
- Releasing the pain to God and leaning on Him for healing the hurt is critical.
- Radical forgiveness demonstrates God's love.
Prayer of Commitment
Lord, help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me. Amen.
I hope that you have had a blessed week and that you will be preparing to join us this Sunday as we continue in our One Anothering series. This is a personally challenging lesson this week and I'm praying for spiritual understanding.
Have a great week and we'll see you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
