Luke Chapter 17: 3-5 NKJV Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

Matthew Chapter 6:14-15 NIV 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

 

Hurt turns into Anger, Anger becomes Bitterness, Bitterness becomes a Hardened Heart

The Decision to Forgive is a Choice

 

Step 1. Acknowledge the Hurt

Genesis 45:1-2 KJV Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Make everyone go out from me!” So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it.

Joseph forgave his brothers that he was truly set free.

Step 2. Surrender Your Right to Punish

Romans 12:17-19 NIV 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

Step 3. Pray for Them

Matthew 5:43-44 NIV 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Step 4. Be Open to Reconciliation

Romans 12:18 NIV “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

Forgiveness Is What I DO

Fellowship Requires Cooperation from Others

Here are the 3 Elements:

True Repentance, Change, and Respect

Titus 3:10-11 NIV Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NKJV 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

 

Heavenly Father, today I Release the weight of unforgiveness that I have been carrying around in my heart all this time. I completely forgive (fill in the blank) in Jesus’ name and I thank you that you’re healing my wounds and setting me free. I’ve given up my right to judge and to punish (fill in the blank) and I pray that you would bless them and bring them to true repentance and salvation in Jesus’ Mighty Name AMEN

 

We have some links on the screen for those who want to seek professional Christian counseling.

https://bemadewholecounseling.org/

https://www.thewholechild.org/

https://www.griefshare.org/

https://aacc.net/

© Jeff Hogan, 2024