Matthew 6:14-15 If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.

Matthew 6:14-15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

The Power Of

The Power Of Forgiveness

Part One Why I Can’t Forgive

Forgiveness is a beautiful word, until you have something to forgive. C.S. Lewis 1898 - 1963 Forgiveness is a beautiful word, until you have something to forgive.

Why do Christians, who have been forgiven so much, have such difficulty forgiving others?

I don’t understand what forgiveness is and what it isn’t #1 – Why I Can’t Forgive I don’t understand what forgiveness is and what it isn’t

Rate each statement as an ACCURATE or an INACCURATE description of forgiveness.

1 You cannot honestly forgive someone unless that person shows some remorse for what they did.

2 If you really forgive someone, you would want that person to be released from the consequences of their actions.

3 If you genuinely forgive someone, you should rebuild your relationship with that person.

4 If you have really forgiven someone, you should be able to forget what they have done to you.

62% 60% WRONG 73% 66%

I’m riding the “guilt-blame” seesaw #2 – Why I Can’t Forgive I’m riding the “guilt-blame” seesaw

GUILT BLAME

GUILT BLAME FORGIVENESS

GUILT BLAME

I can’t give away what I don’t possess #3 – Why I Can’t Forgive I can’t give away what I don’t possess

Only the forgiven can truly forgive!

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Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Luke 7:41-47 41 Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people —five hundred pieces of silver to one and fifty pieces to the other.

Luke 7:41-47 42 But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”

Luke 7:41-47 43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said.

Luke 7:41-47 44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

Luke 7:41-47 45 You didn’t give me a kiss of greeting, but she has kissed my feet again and again from the time I first came in.

Luke 7:41-47 46 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.

Luke 7:41-47 47 I tell you, her sins — and they are many — have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

                                     

GRACE is a deliberate decision to give something good to someone who doesn’t deserve it.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.