- God expects forgiven people to forgive others
- Forgiveness is applying the blood of Jesus Christ as payment in full for every wound I ever have or will suffer.
- And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers – Romans 8:28–29
- When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.” ’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. – Genesis 50:15–17
- His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus, he comforted them and spoke kindly to them – Genesis 50:18–21
- God permits what He could prevent to bring about His greatest glory and our greatest good.
- People don’t sin against us; they sin against God, but they do wound us
- Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. – Psalm 51:4
- But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. – Acts 7:55–60
- Forgiveness is not a process; it is a transaction.
- Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. – James 5:16
- 7 Protocols of Forgiveness:
- Thank God for forgiving you
- Repent of your sin of unforgiveness
- Ask God,”Who do I need to forgive and for what?”
- Forgive each offense from your heart:
- “Lord, I choose to forgive (this person) from my heart for (list wounds).”
- “Lord, is there anything else I need to forgive (this person) for?”
- “I declare (this person) is no longer in my debt. I transfer their debt to the cross, where Jesus paid it all.”
- Ask God to bless them and look for ways to bless them when possible.
- Commit to “not remember the offense”
- Make pre-forgiveness a lifestyle
- Will I choose to forgive?
For more information on forgiveness, please visit the Forgiving Forward website.
