Forgiveness Teaching Notes:
Forgiveness defined: Merriam Webster: 1. To cease to feel resentment against an offender- pardon. 2. To give up resentment of or claim to requital or to grant relief from payment of- more of pop psychology definition, not true biblical forgiveness
Three Types of forgiveness:
Unilateral, Transactional/Complete and Living Forgiveness (seeking and receiving God’s redemptive work thru Jesus, and seeking to complete forgiveness from anyone we have offended to live victoriously as a Christian Self
Biblical Forgiveness Defined :
Transactional Forgiveness- involves 2 people – see 1Jn 1:9
How does God forgive- Requires Confession(agree w/ God about sin and Repentance(change of mind and change in behavior- Acts 20:21
Sin remains unforgiven unless it is confessed and repented from- even though God would have none to perish, these are the steps outlined in scripture to receive God’s forgiveness
God’s: A commitment by the 1 true God to pardon graciously those who repent and believe so that they are reconciled to him, although this commitment does not eliminate all consequences.
Human: A commitment by the offended to pardon graciously the repentant from moral liability and to be reconciled to that person although not all consequences are necessarily eliminated
Forgiveness is not merely Forbearance/patience, Feeling as if we’ve forgiven, Forgiveness is not Forgetting , Forgiveness doesn’t necessarily remove consequences or not automatic restoration of trust. However, as believer we are to stand ready to extend the offer of forgiveness- even if it is not received and you can’t transfer and complete the transaction
What happens in the instances where the offender refuses to repent or is no longer alive. Is all hope lost for forgiveness? Answer: While complete or full forgiveness/ transactional is not available and that person lost the opportunity to be restored, the offended still can choose to forgive and extend unilateral forgiveness
Unilateral occurs when you forgive someone despite them not asking for it- This keeps you from being held hostage to something the other person may never get right. So you can forgive in order to move forward.
This is why forgiveness is so crucial. # 1 God commands we forgive if we want to be forgiven-Matt 6:15, Matt 18:35. Romans 3:23, Lk 17:3-4, Col 3:`3, 1 Jn 1:9, Acts 3:9
All need forgiveness- Why?
Forgiveness Scriptures:
God’s forgiveness requirements for complete forgiveness/restoration:
(1 John 1:9) New International Version (NIV)
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
(Acts 3:19) New International Version (NIV)
19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
Why forgive?
(Romans 3:23) New International Version (NIV)
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
(Matthew 6:15) New International Version (NIV) 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
How to Forgive
(Matthew 18:35) New International Version (NIV)
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
(Colossians 3:13) New International Version (NIV)
13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
New International Version (NIV)
(Ephesians 4:31-32) New International Version (NIV)
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
When to Forgive
(Luke 17:3-4) New International Version (NIV)
“If your brother or sister[a] sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. 4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
