1. Why We Must Forgive
Forgive – (apoluo) to free fully – relieve, release, dismiss, pardon; (aphiemi) to send forth – forgive, put away, forsake
Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.” (Matthew 18:32)
Sermon based on an outline by Joe Price – The Spirit’s Sword – March 22, 2009
Preached at West Side on May 17, 2009 AM
Print Slides: 1,11,14
Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” (Matthew 9:2)

2. God’s forgiveness is freely offered; obtained through faith that obeys
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:37-38)

3. Christians Must Also Forgive
Because God commands us to Forgive
Colossians 3:12-13 (as He does – Ephesians 4:32)

4. Colossians 3:12-13
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

5. Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

6. Christians Must Also Forgive
Because God commands us to Forgive
Colossians 3:12-13 (as He does – Ephesians 4:32)
Because Forgiveness is the Character of God
Exodus 34:7; Matthew 5:43-46

7. Exodus 34:7
Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation.
It is God’s character to punish the wicked, but forgive those who repent

8. Matthew 5:43-46
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

9. Christians Must Also Forgive
Because God commands us to Forgive
Colossians 3:12-13 (as He does – Ephesians 4:32)
Because Forgiveness is the Character of God
Exodus 34:7; Matthew 5:43-46
Because Forgiveness is beneficial to us
Luke 6:37-28

10. Luke 6:37-38
Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

11. Christians Must Also Forgive
Because God commands us to Forgive
Colossians 3:12-13 (as He does – Ephesians 4:32)
Because Forgiveness is the Character of God
Exodus 34:7; Matthew 5:43-46
Because Forgiveness is beneficial to us
Luke 6:37-28
So that we may be forgiven
Matthew 6:12, 14-15; Luke 6:36-37

12. Matthew 6:12, 14-15
(12), And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
(14-15), For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

13. Luke 6:36-37
Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. 37 Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

14. To err is human; to forgive, Divine.
Conclusion
To err is human; to forgive, Divine.
“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)