1. FORGIVENESS – The Litmus Test for Christians Matthew 18: 21-35

3. 1. To forgive and to ask for forgiveness should be a normative Christian lifestyle 2. Forgiving others does not mean the wrongdoing does not matter.

4. Matthew 6:12 Forgive us Forgive us our debts; as we also have forgiven our debtors.

5. Luke 6: 36-37 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

6. Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

7. Colossians 3:12-13 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

8. 3. Christian forgiveness is modelled after God’s forgiveness

9. 1.Consider the magnitude of God’s forgiveness of our sins towards Him whenever we struggle forgiving others 2.How we forgive others reflects on how God’s forgiveness has affected our lives

10. Forgiveness is often unconditional but sometimes conditional on repentance. “There are times when forgiveness should be unconditional and unilateral, and there are other times when forgiveness must be withheld until the offender repents” John MacArthur (pg 119, “The Freedom and Power of Forgiveness”)

11. 4. The need to forgive others and to ask for forgiveness is often undervalued among Christians 4.1 We value service and sacrifice over restoring relationships 4.2 We are unaware of the damage unforgiveness does to the bitterness, blame and bondage.

12. 5. Forgiveness is a process of healing Your relationship with God Your relationship with others Your relationship with your conscience

13. Forgiveness is freedom