Ephesians 4:32 Colossians 3:12-13 Forgiving One Another Learning to forgive is vital to maintaining any good relationship. Those who refuse to cultivate this ability are only hurting themselves. Forgiving one another sets two individuals free – the forgiver and the forgiven. Ephesians 4:32 Colossians 3:12-13

What Forgiveness is Not Forgiveness is not just forgetting something Forgiveness is not excusing wrong or saying it is “okay” Forgiveness is not tolerance Forgiveness is not acceptance

What Forgiveness Involves Following the Lord’s pattern! (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; Matt. 6:12) The guilty must recognize and repent of their sins – rebuke may be necessary (Acts 3:19; 8:22; Rev. 3:19; Luke 17:3) The guilty must confess their sins (1 John 1:9; James 5:16; Psalm 32:5) The guilty must be thoroughly forgiven (Heb. 10:17; Isa. 43:23)

Each of us has the responsibility to seek to forgive and be forgiven! “If you…remember that your brother has something against you…go your way. First be reconciled to your brother” (Matthew 5:23-24) “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.” (Matthew 18:15)