The Questions of Forgiveness

“No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it “No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 (NLT)

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FORGIVE? To excuse for a fault or an offense; pardon. To renounce anger or resentment against. To absolve from payment of (a debt, for example).

“Forgiveness is when an individual who’s been hurt or offended decides and practices giving up his or her desire to avoid the person who hurt him or her, or giving up the desire to exact revenge on the person, and also to seek a reconciliation between the two people, if it’s safe and possible.” ~ Everett L. Worthington, Jr.

WHY IS IT HARD TO FORGIVE? It costs a lot. A

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

“If you want to see the brave, look at those who can forgive.” ~ Bhagavad-Gita

WHY IS IT HARD TO FORGIVE? We want justice. B

“Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” ~ Mark Twain

WHY IS IT HARD TO FORGIVE? We don’t forget. C

How far has the LORD taken our sins from us How far has the LORD taken our sins from us? Farther than the distance from east to west! Psalm 103:12 (CEV)

WHY SHOULD I FORGIVE? 1. Christ set the example.

Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. Colossians 3:13 (CEV)

…Be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you… Ephesians 4:32 (CEV)

WHY SHOULD I FORGIVE? 2. For my physical health.

“[Forgiveness] really reduces the hostility that a person has toward someone who harmed or offended him or her. We know from research that when people feel less hostile, in a chronic way, they tend to have fewer

cardiovascular problems, fewer heart attacks, and to feel less stress cardiovascular problems, fewer heart attacks, and to feel less stress. They don’t get or stay as agitated. The less stress a person chronically feels, the better his or her immune system functions.” ~ Everett L. Worthington, Jr.

WHY SHOULD I FORGIVE? 3. So I can be forgiven.

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT)

WHY SHOULD I FORGIVE? 4. So I can be free.

Grudges are like anchors that keep your ship from reaching its appointed destination.

WHAT DOES FORGIVENESS INVOLVE? Don’t keep reminding them about it.

“His heart was as great as the world, but there was no room in it to hold the memory of a wrong.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

WHAT DOES FORGIVENESS INVOLVE? Don’t keep reminding them about it. Don’t tell others about the problem.

“I understand that the president wanted to know my opinion of Whiting, not Whiting's opinion of me.” ~ General Robert E. Lee

WHAT DOES FORGIVENESS INVOLVE? Don’t keep reminding them about it. Don’t tell others about the problem. Don’t dwell on it yourself.

“If we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NIV)

“If we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Ihhumagiyunaiekvigigamitigut “He will think that it never happened to us.” 1 John 1:9 (NIV)

That is how my Father in heaven will treat you, if you don’t forgive each of my followers with all your heart. Matthew 18:35 (CEV)

“For man with no forgiveness in heart, life worse punishment than death.” ~ Mr. Miyagi, Karate Kid II

“But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:15 (NLT)

Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, “I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it,” says the Lord. Romans 12:18-19 (NLT)

Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good. “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you.” Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:20-21 (NLT)

The Questions of Forgiveness