A Forgiving Forgiven Follower of Jesus Ephesians 4:32

Ephesians 4:32 – 5:2 4:32 – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” 5:1 -  “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”  5:2- “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Forgiving Others – Forgive as Christ has Forgiven Us How did Jesus forgive us as sinners? Jesus forgave us even though we didn’t deserve it Jesus forgave us because he loved us Jesus forgave us totally Jesus forgave us with finality – It is finished Jesus doesn’t remind us of our sins

Forgiving Others – Forgive as Christ has Forgiven Us Who are believers to forgive? Others – who are others? Believers Unbelievers Those who hate us Those who persecute us as believers Others = everyone and anybody

Forgiving Others – Forgive as Christ has Forgiven Us The example of Stephen – Acts 7 How to forgive others as Christ has forgiven us? Remember – how Jesus forgave you Rely – on Jesus’ power and strength

Forgiving Others – Pursue Forgiveness Believers pursue forgiveness they have sinned or wronged someone – Matthew 5:23-24 Believers pursue forgiveness if someone has sinned or offended them – Matthew 18:15 Take the initiative - GO

Forgiving Others – Unlimited Forgiveness Believers are to forgive regardless of how many times – Matthew 18:21-22 Believers are to forgive regardless of how “big” the sin is Don’t set limits on your forgiveness

Forgiving Others – Maintains Closeness and Intimacy with God Matthew 6:14-15 – “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Unforgiveness, which is sin, puts a barrier between the believer and God This refers to our relationship with God, not our standing

Forgiving Others – Releasing the Other Person Greek word for forgiveness – release from an obligation or debt God forgives sinners releases them from the debt of sin Matthew 18:23-34 The King releases the man’s big debt The man did not release the servants small debt Let go

Forgiving Others – A Choice We Make God made the choice to forgive us sinners Jesus made the choice to go to the cross and die for sinners A choice – a conscious decision, an act of the will Make the right decision – make the biblical decision – forgive