2. FORGIVENESS Matthew 6:12; 14-15 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

3. The Ultimate Test of Love is How You Respond When Somebody Hurts You. Corinthians 13:5 Love…doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. Romans 12:19 Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for he has said that he will repay those who deserve it.

4. Three Reasons to Forgive Others 1.God has forgiven you. 2.Bitterness makes you miserable. 3.You are going to need more forgiveness in the future.

5. Consequences of Not Unwrapping and Cleaning Up Unforgiveness Unforgiveness affects our relationship and full forgiveness from our Father. Matthew 6:14 Unforgiveness is an invitation to evil and torment. Matthew 18:21-35 Unforgiveness is like cancer. Unforgiveness hinders our prayer life. Mark 11:24-25

6. What Forgiveness Is Not Forgiveness is not minimizing the seriousness of the offense. Forgiveness is not resuming a relationship without changes.

7. Unwrapped and Cleaned Up Steps to Forgiveness Write on a sheet of paper the name(s) of the person(s) who have offended you. Face the hurt and hate. Acknowledge the significance of the cross. Decide that you will bear the burden of each person’s sin.

8. Unwrapped and Cleaned Up Steps to Forgiveness Decide to forgive and relinquish my right to get even. Take your list to the Lord and pray; “I forgive (name) for (list the offenses).” Destroy the list.

9. Unwrapped and Cleaned Up Steps to Forgiveness Do not expect your decision to forgive to affect the people you forgive. Try to understand the people you have forgiven. They are victims too. Expect positive results of forgiveness in you.

10. Unwrapped and Cleaned Up Steps to Forgiveness Thank God for lessons you learned and the maturity you gained due to the process. Be sure to accept your part of the blame for the offenses you suffered.

11. Forgiveness Forgiveness is instant, but trust must be built over a long period of time. Forgiveness takes care of the damage done by “letting the person off the hook,” but does not guarantee the relationship will be restored.

12. To Restore a Relationship, the Offender Must: Demonstrate genuine repentance. Make restitution where possible. Rebuild your trust by proving they have changed over time.

13. If a person repeatedly wrongs you, you are obligated by God to forgive the person. But you are not obligated to trust that person, to let them continue to hurt you, or to instantly restore the relationship. Forgiveness

14. Apply & Mobilize Take time at the end of this year to unwrap and clean up any unforgiveness and hurt in your life, so that you can move forward into all that God has for you!