1. Why We Must Forgive Luke 6:35-38

2. Forgive aphiemi: “to send forth, send away”aphiemi: “to send forth, send away” –Debts, Matthew 18:32 –Sins, Matthew 9:2 Remission of punishment due to sin; deliverance from the penalty imposedRemission of punishment due to sin; deliverance from the penalty imposed God’s forgiveness is freely offered; obtained through faith, Ac 2:37-38; 8:22; 1 Jno 1:9God’s forgiveness is freely offered; obtained through faith, Ac 2:37-38; 8:22; 1 Jno 1:9 2

3. Christians Must Forgive Because God commands us to forgive, Col 3:12-13Because God commands us to forgive, Col 3:12-13 –Abiding faith in and submission to God –Willingness to forgive is necessary, and comes from a submissive spirit –A hard heart is unyielding and unmerciful, tending toward malice and bitterness 3

4. Christians Must Forgive As God forgives us, Eph 4:32As God forgives us, Eph 4:32 –Completely, immediately, with finality –Always (without limit), Matt 18:21-22 –From the heart, Matt 18:35; Col 3:12-14 Compassion, mercy, grace, love, Psa 86:5Compassion, mercy, grace, love, Psa 86:5 Otherwise, not like God, Eph 4:31; Col 3:13Otherwise, not like God, Eph 4:31; Col 3:13 4

5. Christians Must Forgive Because forgiveness is the character and purpose of GodBecause forgiveness is the character and purpose of God –Exo 34:6-7: Mercy and forgiveness –Dan 9:18-19: He forgives for His own sake –Eph 1:7: Riches of His grace (Lk 23:34) –Matt 5:43-48: Our task is to be like God 5

6. Christians Must Forgive Because forgiveness is good for us, Luke 6:37-38Because forgiveness is good for us, Luke 6:37-38 –Spiritual blessings, Acts 20:35 –Compassion, Matthew 18:32-35 –Cleansing of our heart toward others, Ephesians 4:31-32 –Mercy, James 2:13; Luke 6:36-37 6

7. Christians Must Forgive So that we also may be forgivenSo that we also may be forgiven –As we forgive, Matt 6:12, 14-15 (Lk 11:4) –If anything against anyone, Mark 11:25 –Sons of God, Luke 6:35-37 –Take heed! Luke 17:3-4 7

8. Forgiveness We must have hearts of mercy and compassion that are ready to forgive, Eph 4:32 (Lk 23:34; Rom 10:21)We must have hearts of mercy and compassion that are ready to forgive, Eph 4:32 (Lk 23:34; Rom 10:21) Like God, we forgive when the sinner meets God’s conditions, Lk 17:3-4Like God, we forgive when the sinner meets God’s conditions, Lk 17:3-4 Without forgiving others we will be lost! Mark 11:25-26Without forgiving others we will be lost! Mark 11:25-26 8