May 4 2014 How Can I Forgive Others

/ Great Plains Community Church /

How Can I Forgive Others 

“And forgive us our sins — just as we forgive those who have sinned against us.”— Luke 11:4 (The Lords Prayer)“

Forgiving others is not: 

  • JUSTIFYING their actions.
  • Trusting the passage of time.
  • DENYING  that you’re hurt.
  • CONFRONTING them personally.

1. REMEMBER how much I’ve been forgiven.

““’Come, let’s talk this over!’ says the Lord; ‘‘no matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you white as wool!” – Isaiah 1:18

2. RELEASE the person entirely .

“Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn't you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ Then the angry king sent the man to prison until he had paid every penny.’ That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters in your heart.” — Matthew 18:32-35

““Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. . . Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, ‘I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it,’ says the Lord.” —Romans 12:17,19

3. RECOGNIZE God’s purpose in the process.

“But Joseph told them, ‘Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you? As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people.’” — Genesis 50:19-20

4. RE-ESTABLISH the relationship . (as much as possible)

““Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.”

  • Romans 12:21 “Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.”
  • Romans 12:18

5. REPEAT the process.

“‘No!’ Jesus replied, ‘seventy times seven!’” — Matthew 18:22

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” ---Matthew 6:14-15.

Memory verse: “ Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.” — Ephesians 4:32