Unfinished Business – Week 3
FORGIVING OTHERS
When someone wounds us bitterness and resentment can take over. We feel like they “owe us” and we create a debt/debtor relationship.
Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Hebrews 12:15 NLT
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Ephesians 4:31 NLT
Forgiveness is a choice. It’s not “I can’t forgive”, it’s “I won’t forgive”.
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 NLT
We forgive because Christ forgave us. He gives us:
- The Pattern of forgiveness
- The Power to forgive
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT
Forgiveness isn’t: approval, excusing, justifying, forgetting, pretending we aren’t hurt, or refusing to take wrong seriously, it isn’t even reconciling the relationship.
Forgiveness is: choosing to not keep a record of wrongs, refusing to punish, choosing that they don’t “owe me” anymore, rejecting revenge.
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 friend, never take revenge . Romans 12:17-19a
Forgiveness is a choice.
Forgiveness isn’t letting the person get away with something, it’s letting us get past something.
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,” says the Lord.
Romans 12:19
God is the judge, and you can trust Him. Let God take care of that hurt and deal with your offender. Forgiveness isn’t letting the person get away with something, it’s letting us get past something. Freedom if forged in forgiveness.
Next Steps:
- Identify who “owes you”.
- Choose to forgive them, and let them off “your hook”.
- Give them to God, and make the choice that they don’t owe you anymore.