"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Col. 3:13 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.“ Eph.4:32

 Ignoring those who wrong us  Refusing to hit back  Overlooking the sin  Putting on probation What is Forgiveness ?  Removes wrong from record - Acts 3:19 “blotted out”  Forgets - Heb. 8:12 “remember no more”  Treats us as before - Luke 15 - Father took son back

Have I really forgiven my offender ? “TEST”  Do I secretly rejoice about a misfortune coming to my offender ?  Do I purposefully avoid his presence ?  Do I speak to him hesitatingly ?  Do I vividly remember the wrong committed ?  Do I ever sit in silence and meditate and brood over the wrong done me ?  Could I happily and anxiously go to God in prayer in my offenders behalf ?  Have I sought an opportunity to do him a favor ? Romans 12:17-21

Importance of Forgiving One Another It is a command Col. 3:13 “forgiving one another” Mark 11: forgive so God can forgive you Example of Christ Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” 1 Peter 2:21-23 “follow his steps” Example of Stephen Acts 7:60 “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.”

Importance of Forgiving One Another We have been forgiven Eph. 4:32 “even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Matt. 18: would not forgive small debt Forgive to be forgiven Matt. 6:12-15 If we do not forgive another, we clog the channel through which divine forgiveness flows.

Importance of Forgiving One Another May be later than you think Christ May come Mark 13:32 “But of that day that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” The person may die Two men who were mad at one another Met and forgave one another Days later one of them died

Attitudes Toward Forgiveness “I cannot forgive” 1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” God does not require the impossible “I will not forgive” Remember Joseph & Stephen

Attitudes Toward Forgiveness “I'll forgive you, but in the future will have nothing to do with you” Eph. 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” When we forgive we treat the person as if the offense had never happened!

Attitudes Toward Forgiveness “It’s a favor from me to you” The reverse is true The offender can be forgiven of God without my extending forgiveness, but I cannot be forgiven unless I forgive Him. “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Mt.6:15

Attitudes Toward Forgiveness “I'll forgive you, but I'll never forget it.” This is not forgiveness Acts 3:19 sins are “blotted out” Smear out Obliterate Pardon Wipe away

How Do You Forgive ?  Remember how much you have been forgiven  Ask God’s Assistance  Pray for your Offender Forgive as God Forgives Col. 3:13 “as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”  Freely  Abundantly  Immediately  Finally  Often

How Often Must We Forgive ? Matthew 18: times 7 times 70 x No Limit to Forgiveness Not a matter of bookkeeping Matter of love and love has no limits

Who Must Take the Initiative ? The Offender Matt. 5:23-24 The Offended Matt. 18:15-17 Both Both will take the initiative Reconciliation will follow

Forgiveness - Quotes “To err is human, to forgive, divine.” -- Alexander Pope “The Best way to get even is to forget.”

Deer fighting Get horns Locked

Guards his food Chases away all intruders… Allows one small animal to eat his food

"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Col. 3:13 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.“ Eph.4:32

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Morning October 28, 2012