In this episode Saso and Ben talk about the issue of forgiving one another because we’ve been forgiven so much.
Forgiveness does not mean “bro, now you owe me a solid”. Forgiveness means the debt is canceled and now you no longer have a hook, the debtor does not owe anything. It’s like paying the bill for your food at the restaurant. Once it’s paid you don’t owe anything else, there fore nothing else should be expected by the restaurant.
The Lord’s prayer speaking of forgiveness and an example of how we should pray for others who sin against us
- Matthew 6:12-15
- Colossians 3:13
How often should we forgive?
Matthew 18:21-22
Examples of Forgiveness in Scripture
- Joseph – Genesis 50:19
- Stephen – Acts 7:59-60
- Simon Peter – Luke 24:34
- Jesus Christ – Luke 23:34
The new covenant with the house of Israel and house of Judah
- Hebrews 8:11-12
- John 8:3-11
Forgiveness is a command
Ephesians 4:30-32
Since forgiveness is a command, we must willfully make the decision to obey God and forgive others.
Forgivness is conditional
Matthew 6:14
Also, the prerequisite to biblically forgiving others is to be forgiven. If you’ve not placed your faith in Christ, if you’ve not been born again as spoken of in John 3, then you are incapable of forgiving others as commanded in scripture.
What about forgive and forget?
This is a common question among Christians. We can’t selectively choose what we want to forget. In fact there are many things stored in our brains that we’d like to delete but it’s just not possible. Unfortunately there are things we do forget but we don’t willfully forget them because it’s impossible for us to forget things on demand.
The bible never tells us to forget, however, the Bible tells us to be prudent.
Proverbs 22:3
Forgiveness and trust are two different things. Forgiveness means that you’ve released the person from any type of repayment or retribution. However, that means that the dynamics of the relationship may and will likely change until trust is regained which can take time and honestly, trust may never be regained.
We are not instructed to forget but we are instructed to love and pray for enemies.
- Matthew 5:44
- Romans 12:18
Consequences of unforgiveness
The bad thing about unforgiveness is that it leads to other sins like anger, jealousy, bitterness, and hate. Just think what the United States of America would be like if we just forgave each other. What would our world be like if forgiveness was a priority?
The parable of the unmerciful servant
Matthew 18:22-23
What prevented the servant from forgiving his fellow servant? Pride and greed! And what was the consequence?
Matthew 18:35
Why is there a need for forgiveness?
Romans 5:8
Who are we to not forgive? After all I’ve been forgiven so much.
- Romans 6:23
- Romans 5:12
- Romans 6:23
- Psalm 51:5
Forgiveness available for all of us
2 Corinthians 5:21
Prodigal Son
Luke 15:18-24
Who do you need to forgive?
Has anyone plucked out your beard? Put a crown of thorns on your head?
God help us to forgive as we have been forgiven of all of our unrighteousness if we have placed our faith in Him.
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