Forgiveness

ForgivenessForgiveness

Matthew 18:21-35Matthew 18:21-35

Two Things Are ClearTwo Things Are Clear

1. We cannot forgive until the sinner 1. We cannot forgive until the sinner repents.repents.Luke 17:3-4Luke 17:3-4

2. If the sinner does repent, we must 2. If the sinner does repent, we must forgive him, else we cannot receive forgive him, else we cannot receive forgiveness from God ourselves. forgiveness from God ourselves. Matthew 6:14-15Matthew 6:14-15

We Are To Forgive As God Has In We Are To Forgive As God Has In Christ Forgiven Us. Ephesians 4:32Christ Forgiven Us. Ephesians 4:32

Sin is a terrible burden for any to carrySin is a terrible burden for any to carry. . 1.1. The magnitude of sin is seen in the The magnitude of sin is seen in the

result of sin. Ezekiel 18:20; Isaiah 59:1-2; result of sin. Ezekiel 18:20; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23Romans 6:23

2. 2. Man cannot pay the debt of sin. cf. Man cannot pay the debt of sin. cf. Matthew 16:26Matthew 16:26

3. We need the blood of Christ. Romans 3. We need the blood of Christ. Romans 3:23-26; Eph. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19.3:23-26; Eph. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19.a. Man’s need is constant (1 John 1:8). The a. Man’s need is constant (1 John 1:8). The

blood of Christ is always available (1 John 1:9).blood of Christ is always available (1 John 1:9).

Is God’s forgiveness unconditionalIs God’s forgiveness unconditional??1. Those outside of Christ who sin, must do 1. Those outside of Christ who sin, must do

something. Acts 2:36-38, 40-41; Acts 9:6; something. Acts 2:36-38, 40-41; Acts 9:6;

Acts 16:30-34Acts 16:30-34

2. Christians who sin, must do something.2. Christians who sin, must do something.1 John 1:6-10; Acts 8:20-241 John 1:6-10; Acts 8:20-24

3. God is willing to forgive, IF WE ARE 3. God is willing to forgive, IF WE ARE WILLING TO MEET HIS CONDITIONS!WILLING TO MEET HIS CONDITIONS!

a. Luke 23:34; cf. Acts 7:60; cf. Acts 9, 22, a. Luke 23:34; cf. Acts 7:60; cf. Acts 9, 22, 2626

We Are To Forgive As God Has In We Are To Forgive As God Has In Christ Forgiven Us. Ephesians 4:32Christ Forgiven Us. Ephesians 4:32

What Forgiveness Is NotWhat Forgiveness Is Not1.1. Just ignoring those who wrong Just ignoring those who wrong

us.us.2. Simply failing to return evil for 2. Simply failing to return evil for

evil.evil.Romans 12:17-21; Hebrews 10:30.Romans 12:17-21; Hebrews 10:30.

3. Ignoring sin.3. Ignoring sin.

What Forgiveness Is NotWhat Forgiveness Is Not

4.4. Saying, “Saying, “I’ll forgive – but I won’t I’ll forgive – but I won’t forget.forget.””a.a. This is not the way Jesus forgives; when he This is not the way Jesus forgives; when he

forgives sin, he remembers it no more (Hebrews forgives sin, he remembers it no more (Hebrews 10:17).10:17).

b. We cannot forgive one, and then constantly b. We cannot forgive one, and then constantly remind him of the sin and hold it over him.remind him of the sin and hold it over him.

c.c. cf. “I’ll forgive you, but I won’t have cf. “I’ll forgive you, but I won’t have anything to do with you in the future” mentality.anything to do with you in the future” mentality.

5. Putting the offender on probation.5. Putting the offender on probation.a.a. Forgiveness must be from the heart. Forgiveness must be from the heart.

Matthew 18:35Matthew 18:35

What Is Forgiveness?What Is Forgiveness?

““To excuse for a fault or an offense; To excuse for a fault or an offense; pardon; pardon;

To renounce anger or To renounce anger or resentment againstresentment against. To . To absolve from payment of (a debt as absolve from payment of (a debt as an example).” an example).” ((American Heritage American Heritage DictionaryDictionary))


From two Greek words: From two Greek words: apoapo (from) (from) hiemihiemi (send (send) “to send away, to let go, ) “to send away, to let go, give up a debt, to remit.” give up a debt, to remit.” (According to (According to Theological Greek Dictionary of the New Testament)Theological Greek Dictionary of the New Testament)

1. Bible example is a scapegoat (carrying 1. Bible example is a scapegoat (carrying away). Leviticus16:21; cf. Isaiah 53:4-6.away). Leviticus16:21; cf. Isaiah 53:4-6.

2. A “casting out” – Isaiah 38:17.2. A “casting out” – Isaiah 38:17.

3. A “starting over” – Philippians 3. A “starting over” – Philippians 3:13,14.3:13,14.


FForgiveness is … being like orgiveness is … being like God…God…

1. 1. God removes the notation from the recordGod removes the notation from the record ––Acts 3:19 “Repent ye therefore, and turn again, Acts 3:19 “Repent ye therefore, and turn again,

that your sins may be blotted out.”that your sins may be blotted out.”

2. 2. God forgets, putting out of memoryGod forgets, putting out of memory – –Hebrews 8:12 “For I will be merciful to their Hebrews 8:12 “For I will be merciful to their iniquities, And their sins will I remember no iniquities, And their sins will I remember no more.”more.”


Example of true forgiveness:Example of true forgiveness:

The prodigal son – Luke 15:20-24.The prodigal son – Luke 15:20-24.

Forgiveness Does Not Remove Forgiveness Does Not Remove Temporal ConsequencesTemporal Consequences

Convicted prodigal does not regain Convicted prodigal does not regain wasted money. wasted money. Luke 15:13Luke 15:13

Convicted murderer does not Convicted murderer does not escape death penalty. escape death penalty. Acts 25:11Acts 25:11

Convicted thief does not escape Convicted thief does not escape “due reward.” “due reward.” Luke 23:40-43Luke 23:40-43

Convicted adulterer not free to Convicted adulterer not free to “marry another” or continue “marry another” or continue adultery. adultery. Matthew 19:9Matthew 19:9

Convicted prodigal does not regain Convicted prodigal does not regain wasted money. wasted money. Luke 15:13Luke 15:13

Convicted murderer does not Convicted murderer does not escape death penalty. escape death penalty. Acts 25:11Acts 25:11

Convicted thief does not escape Convicted thief does not escape “due reward.” “due reward.” Luke 23:40-43Luke 23:40-43

Convicted adulterer not free to Convicted adulterer not free to “marry another” or continue “marry another” or continue adultery. adultery. Matthew 19:9Matthew 19:9

Why Should I Forgive?Why Should I Forgive? God commands itGod commands it..

Mark 11:25 Mark 11:25 “And whensoever ye “And whensoever ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any one …”aught against any one …”

The example of Christ demands itThe example of Christ demands it..Luke 23:34Luke 23:34 “Father forgive them, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”for they know not what they do.”

Why Should I Forgive?Why Should I Forgive? We must forgive because we ourselves We must forgive because we ourselves

have been forgivenhave been forgiven. Ephesians 4:32. Ephesians 4:32Forgiveness is an act of mercy, not justice. Forgiveness is an act of mercy, not justice.

Jesus said,Jesus said, “ “Blessed are the merciful for they Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy …” (Matthew 5:7; cf. shall obtain mercy …” (Matthew 5:7; cf. James 2:13)James 2:13)

We must forgive in order that we may We must forgive in order that we may be forgivenbe forgiven.. Matthew 6:14-15; Mark Matthew 6:14-15; Mark 11:2511:25God’s estimate of an unforgiving spirit is found God’s estimate of an unforgiving spirit is found

in in Matthew 18:23-35. (text)Matthew 18:23-35. (text)

Why Should I Forgive?Why Should I Forgive?

Seeking peace requires itSeeking peace requires it!! Romans Romans 14:1914:19

Love calls for itLove calls for it.. cf. 1 Corinthians 13:4; cf. 1 Corinthians 13:4;“Love covereth a multitude of sins.”1 Peter “Love covereth a multitude of sins.”1 Peter 4:84:8

The Golden Rule demands itThe Golden Rule demands it.. Matthew Matthew 7:12; Forgiving others shows strength of 7:12; Forgiving others shows strength of character. Romans 12:17-21character. Romans 12:17-21

Often Asked Questions About Often Asked Questions About Forgiveness:Forgiveness:

Can the mind ever forgetCan the mind ever forget? Paul did ? Paul did not maintain a “hate listnot maintain a “hate list.”.”cf. 1 Corinthians 13:5 “Love does not cf. 1 Corinthians 13:5 “Love does not take account of evil…”take account of evil…”1. We did when we were children.1. We did when we were children.

2.2. We do as parents with our children.We do as parents with our children.

3.3. We forget our own faults.We forget our own faults.

4.4. God says we can do both – God says we can do both – Ephesians 4:32.Ephesians 4:32.


How often must I forgiveHow often must I forgive??Matthew18:21-22; Luke 17:3-4.Matthew18:21-22; Luke 17:3-4.

1. Not a matter of arithmetic – but of 1. Not a matter of arithmetic – but of love for my brother!love for my brother!

a. We must forgive, if need be, a. We must forgive, if need be, seven times in one day or “seventy seven times in one day or “seventy times seven.” Not just 490 times, times seven.” Not just 490 times, but as often as he repents, I must but as often as he repents, I must be willing to forgive.be willing to forgive.


What if the offender does not ask for What if the offender does not ask for my forgivenessmy forgiveness??1. Jesus on the cross. Luke 23:341. Jesus on the cross. Luke 23:34

Did this give them forgiveness?Did this give them forgiveness? Of course not – conditioned Of course not – conditioned

upon their repentance! Acts 2:36-38; upon their repentance! Acts 2:36-38; 1 John 1:9.1 John 1:9.

2.2. One who does not repent, has no One who does not repent, has no Godly sorrow for his sin. cf. 2 Godly sorrow for his sin. cf. 2 Corinthians 7:10Corinthians 7:10


How should we forgive one How should we forgive one anotheranother??1. Matthew 18:35 “from the heart.”1. Matthew 18:35 “from the heart.”

Fully and completely. The same as God Fully and completely. The same as God in Christ forgives us (Ephesians 4:32).in Christ forgives us (Ephesians 4:32).


How do we learn and cultivate true forgivenessHow do we learn and cultivate true forgiveness??

1. 1. Physically to refuse can lead to health & Physically to refuse can lead to health & stress problems. Bitterness will destroy you!stress problems. Bitterness will destroy you!

2. 2. Spiritually, it can cause--malice, wrath, Spiritually, it can cause--malice, wrath, jealousy and separate us from God.jealousy and separate us from God.

3. 3. Remember, how greatly God has forgiven us!Remember, how greatly God has forgiven us!

4. 4. Ask God to assist and help us. Matthew 6:12Ask God to assist and help us. Matthew 6:12

5. 5. Practice by praying for the offender.Practice by praying for the offender.

6. 6. Develop an understanding heart. Proverbs 8:5.Develop an understanding heart. Proverbs 8:5.

7. 7. Cultivate compassion and mercy. Matthew 5:7.Cultivate compassion and mercy. Matthew 5:7.

ConclusionConclusion

Take it or leave it !Take it or leave it !

Matthew 6:14-15 “For if ye forgive Matthew 6:14-15 “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”trespasses.”

Documents

Forgiveness