The forgiven forgive.

 

Psalm 11:4

English Standard Version

⁴ The Lord is in his holy temple;
    the Lord's throne is in heaven;
    his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.

 

Jeremiah 6:16

New Living Translation

This is what the Lord says:

“Stop at the crossroads and look around.
    Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it.
Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.
    But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’

 

Proverbs 14:12

New Living Translation

There is a path before each person that seems right,
    but it ends in death.

 

God wants us to live our lives from His perspective not ours.  He can see how our decisions will ultimately impact us.  

 

John 10:10

New Living Translation

10 The thief’s (the Devil's) purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose (Jesus) is to give them (us) a rich and satisfying life.

 

My relationship to God cannot be separated from the people who God has put into my life. 

 

John 13:34-35

New Living Translation

³⁴ So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. ³⁵ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

 

Matthew 22:36-39

New Living Translation

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

³⁷ Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 

³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. 

³⁹ A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

 

How are we doing with the people who God has placed into our lives?  What is impacting our relationships negatively?  

1. We have a wrong understanding of forgiveness?

A. Forgiveness is not minimizing the offense.

B.  Forgiveness is not reconciliation. 

C.  Forgiveness is not forgetting what happened. 

2.  We don't believe what happened to us is fair.  

Matthew 18:32-35

New Living Translation

³² Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. ³³ Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ ³⁴ Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.

³⁵ “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.”

 

3.  We don't think that we can forgive.

 

Philippians 4:13

New Living Translation

13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

 

We have to make the next step for our lives to change.  Jesus made the first step for dying our the cross for us. 

 

Revelation 3:20

New Living Translation

20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

 

1. Let's pray for those who hurt us. 

 

Matthew 5:43-44

New Living Translation

⁴³ “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. ⁴⁴ But I say, love your enemies!^] Pray for those who persecute you!

 

2. Lets bless those who hurt us. 

 

Luke 6:27-28

New Living Translation

27 “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.

 

3.  Do good to those who hurt you.

 

Romans 12:17-21

New Living Translation

¹⁷ Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. ¹⁸ Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

¹⁹ Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge;
    I will pay them back,”^[a]
    says the Lord.

²⁰ Instead,

“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
    If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
    burning coals of shame on their heads.”

²¹ Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. 

 

Ephesians 4:31-32

New Living Translation

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.