Matthew 5:8 and 18:21-35; Luke 17:1-10
The human heart is polluted by many things, but few are more deadly than unforgiveness.
To forgive is a will of God. It's a command ~ not a suggestion. God says it is our duty to forgive, regardless of whom we are forgiving.
Failure to forgive is not a matter of inability, but of rebellion. It is a denial of Jesus' Lordship over our life! In the parable told by Jesus and recorded by Matthew, we are informed that failure to forgive from the heart is a serious sin against the grace of God. According to Jesus, those who refuse to forgive will not be forgiven (Mt. 6:15).
In addition to this, Jesus says that they will be turned over to the "tormentors." Those who refuse to forgive will be severely chastened and if they choose to continue in their unforgiveness they are in danger of eternal separation from God. Unforgiveness jeopardizes one's relationship with God.
When God commands you to forgive, is He asking the impossible of you?
Good news! God not only provides us with the model in Christ, He also provides us with the means.
Ephesians 4:25-4:32 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
What motivated God to forgive us?
John 3:16 – "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Forgiveness is motivated by genuine love for the offender, where revenge is motivated by resentment, hate and a burning desire to even the score.
Our ability to forgive others is based on the finished work of Christ. Jesus not only paid your debt toward God, He paid the debt owed you by others! We must factor the finished work of Christ into our relationship with those who have offended us. We choose to release them from all moral debt based upon the shed blood of Jesus. From this moment on we view the debt as having been paid in full. Granted, their repentance will enable reconciliation and restoration, but we begin the process by applying Christ's work to their account.
The human heart is polluted by many things, but few are more deadly than unforgiveness.
To forgive is a will of God. It's a command ~ not a suggestion. God says it is our duty to forgive, regardless of whom we are forgiving.
Failure to forgive is not a matter of inability, but of rebellion. It is a denial of Jesus' Lordship over our life! In the parable told by Jesus and recorded by Matthew, we are informed that failure to forgive from the heart is a serious sin against the grace of God. According to Jesus, those who refuse to forgive will not be forgiven (Mt. 6:15).
In addition to this, Jesus says that they will be turned over to the "tormentors." Those who refuse to forgive will be severely chastened and if they choose to continue in their unforgiveness they are in danger of eternal separation from God. Unforgiveness jeopardizes one's relationship with God.
When God commands you to forgive, is He asking the impossible of you?
Good news! God not only provides us with the model in Christ, He also provides us with the means.
Ephesians 4:25-4:32 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
What motivated God to forgive us?
John 3:16 – "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Forgiveness is motivated by genuine love for the offender, where revenge is motivated by resentment, hate and a burning desire to even the score.
Our ability to forgive others is based on the finished work of Christ. Jesus not only paid your debt toward God, He paid the debt owed you by others! We must factor the finished work of Christ into our relationship with those who have offended us. We choose to release them from all moral debt based upon the shed blood of Jesus. From this moment on we view the debt as having been paid in full. Granted, their repentance will enable reconciliation and restoration, but we begin the process by applying Christ's work to their account.
