To Forgive Means…• To excuse for a fault or an offense;

pardon.

• To renounce anger or resentment against.

• To absolve from payment of (a debt, for example).

(American Heritage Online Dictionary)

Deny Your Personal Revenge• Not to resist an evil person. Mt. 5:39• How? Trust in God to fix things, and to

use YOU to overcome evil with good!

Lev. 19:18; Rom. 12:17-21; Prov. 3:5-6• YES, YOU CAN! 1 Jn. 5:3-4• Your response should be. 1 Cor. 6:7

– Why? They need something only YOU can show them. Opposite of anger!

• “Turn the other cheek to him also” and giving “your tunic and cloak also” shows willingness to suffer in order to help them learn about forgiveness.

• How did we really learn about forgiving and love? Christ’s perfect example! Eph. 1:7; 1 Jn. 4:19– Give them more than what they

bargained for. Start the righteous cycle.

Deny Your Personal Revenge

Go the Second Mile!• Why? Its part of the experiment towards

this success, and they’ll realize your blessing! Prodigal’s father did! Lk. 15:20-24

• How!– Forego the right of striking back.– Replace the feeling of resentment with

goodwill. Lk. 2:14; Eph. 2:10; Jas. 1:20– The forgiving person takes steps to restore

good relations. Romans 5:8

Forgiveness Is…• Not being stingy. Mt. 5:42; Gal. 6:10

• Being freely willing to give and help out! God is working through YOU to bless others. Be an instrument of righteousness. Rom. 6:13, 22

• About realizing whatever I do, good or evil, it’s like I’m doing it to Jesus!

Matthew 25:34-46; Acts 20:35

Forgive and Be Forgiven• Understand, If YOU do not forgive others;

then YOU will not be forgiven!Mt. 6:14-15; 18:23-35; Mk. 11:25-26

• Incentive? Say “YES” to forgiving others!• Know that God desires and expects it of

us. Eph. 4:30-32• Must forgive to follow Christ’s example

for us. 1 Peter 2:21-24

• Be merci-full! Lk. 6:36; Jas. 2:12-13– Remember: Romans 15:1-7; Ps. 69:9– Be like Christ – Our part, suffer for them– How often shall I forgive? Unlimited!

Matthew 18:21-22– Conditions?

Mt. 18:15-20; Eph. 4:32; Lk. 17:3-4– God forgives when we repent and ask it.

Mt. 7:7-8; Acts 8:22; 1 Jn. 1:9

How To Forgive Others

How To Forgive Others• Get On With Life!

• Really try to forget what was done to you. Phil. 3:13-14; Jer. 31:34– The unforgiving heart has three

barriers in it.

1.Revenge “I’m going to get even”

2.Resentment “I’m going to stay angry”

3.Remembering “I’ll never forget”

• We must get past these three R’s !

Say YES To Forgiveness! • How to make things right with God.

– Alien sinner must: Hear (Jn. 6:45), Believe (Heb. 11:6), Repent (Lk. 13:3),

Confess Jesus (Acts 8:37), Be Baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27; Rom.6:3-4; Ac. 22:16).

– Erring Christian must: Repent & ask forgiveness of sin (Acts 8:22; 1 Jn. 1:9).