1. Bible Question Box Forgiving those who sin against us

2. 2 Forgiving Others Matthew 18:21-35 Our forgiveness depends on forgiving those who sin against us, 18:21-22, 35 Our forgiveness depends on forgiving those who sin against us, 18:21-22, 35 Heart of compassion, 18:27, 33 Heart of compassion, 18:27, 33 Action of forgiveness comes from such a heart, 18:27, 35 Action of forgiveness comes from such a heart, 18:27, 35

3. 3Question: Can you please clarify this for me? Can you please clarify this for me? Eph. 4:32 is used to say we are to forgive as Christ forgives – meaning we forgive when asked. Eph. 4:32 is used to say we are to forgive as Christ forgives – meaning we forgive when asked. Mk. 11:25-26 is used to say we forgive even if the person in sin doesn’t ask for forgiveness. Mk. 11:25-26 is used to say we forgive even if the person in sin doesn’t ask for forgiveness. As Christians are we to forgive another if they do not ask us to forgive when sinned against? As Christians are we to forgive another if they do not ask us to forgive when sinned against?

4. 4 What is Forgiveness? Forgive: “to send forth, send away” Forgive: “to send forth, send away” Forgiveness: “a dismissal, release” Forgiveness: “a dismissal, release” Display of mercy, Matt. 18:27 Display of mercy, Matt. 18:27 Cover, conceal, wipe away, Rom. 4:7 Cover, conceal, wipe away, Rom. 4:7 Result: Pardon; no longer held guilty ( Rom. 4:8 ) Result: Pardon; no longer held guilty ( Rom. 4:8 )

5. 5 Forgiving Sinners is an act of… Mercy & compassion (grace): Mercy & compassion (grace): God’s mercy, Psa. 51:1; Eph. 1:7 God’s mercy, Psa. 51:1; Eph. 1:7 Our mercy, Matt. 18:33 Our mercy, Matt. 18:33 Love: Love: God’s love, Rom. 5:8 God’s love, Rom. 5:8 Our love, 1 Jno. 4:7-11 (1 Pet. 4:8) Our love, 1 Jno. 4:7-11 (1 Pet. 4:8)

6. 6 Actually being forgiven is the result of an obedient faith Sinner obtains forgiveness through faith, Eph. 2:8 Sinner obtains forgiveness through faith, Eph. 2:8 If we do not have faith to obey God’s terms of forgiveness, we will not be forgiven (cf. Acts 17:30) If we do not have faith to obey God’s terms of forgiveness, we will not be forgiven (cf. Acts 17:30)

7. 7 Forgiveness is not… Ignoring, permitting or overlooking sin (1 Pet. 4:8) Ignoring, permitting or overlooking sin (1 Pet. 4:8) Continuing to harbor ill will, resentment, bitterness, malice, anger, etc. toward those who have sinned against us (Eph. 4:31-32) Continuing to harbor ill will, resentment, bitterness, malice, anger, etc. toward those who have sinned against us (Eph. 4:31-32)

8. 8 We must forgive as God forgives us Eph. 4:32 Completely, immediately, with finality Completely, immediately, with finality Always (without limit), Matt. 18:21-22 Always (without limit), Matt. 18:21-22 From heart, Matt. 18:35; Col. 3:12-14 From heart, Matt. 18:35; Col. 3:12-14 Mercy, grace & love, Psa. 86:5 Mercy, grace & love, Psa. 86:5 Otherwise, not like God, Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:13 Otherwise, not like God, Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:13

9. 9 What about when sinner does not ask our forgiveness? Mark 11:25-26 Must have a heart that is always ready to practice forgiveness, Matt. 18:35 Must have a heart that is always ready to practice forgiveness, Matt. 18:35 God does, Lk. 23:34 (1 Ti. 2:3-4; Tit. 2:11) God does, Lk. 23:34 (1 Ti. 2:3-4; Tit. 2:11) We must, Col. 3:12-13; Matt. 18:21-22 We must, Col. 3:12-13; Matt. 18:21-22 Don’t hold grudges, do good, etc., Eph. 4:31; Rom. 12:17-21 Don’t hold grudges, do good, etc., Eph. 4:31; Rom. 12:17-21 Stephen, Acts 7:60 Stephen, Acts 7:60

10. 10 What about when sinner does not ask our forgiveness? Mark 11:25-26 Actual forgiveness occurs when God’s conditions for forgiveness are met, Acts 26:17-18 (Matt. 7:21) Actual forgiveness occurs when God’s conditions for forgiveness are met, Acts 26:17-18 (Matt. 7:21) God’s conditions: God’s conditions: Become a Christian, Acts 2:37-38, 41 Become a Christian, Acts 2:37-38, 41 Sinning Christian, Acts 8:22; 1 Jno. 1:9 Sinning Christian, Acts 8:22; 1 Jno. 1:9

11. 11 What about when sinner does not ask our forgiveness? Mark 11:25-26 We must give (practice) forgiveness when God’s conditions are met, Luke 17:3-4; Matt. 18:21-22, 15 We must give (practice) forgiveness when God’s conditions are met, Luke 17:3-4; Matt. 18:21-22, 15 Sinner rebuked & disciplined, 1 Cor. 5:1, 4-5 Sinner rebuked & disciplined, 1 Cor. 5:1, 4-5 Sinner repents…Christians forgive him, 2 Cor. 2:6-11 Sinner repents…Christians forgive him, 2 Cor. 2:6-11

12. 12 Ephesians 4:32 Yes, we must have hearts of mercy & compassion that are ready to forgive even when sinners do not repent (Lk. 23:34; Rom. 10:21) Yes, we must have hearts of mercy & compassion that are ready to forgive even when sinners do not repent (Lk. 23:34; Rom. 10:21)

13. 13 Luke 17:3-4 No, we cannot actually forgive (grant or give forgiveness) one who has not met God’s conditions for forgiveness No, we cannot actually forgive (grant or give forgiveness) one who has not met God’s conditions for forgiveness

14. 14 Mark 11:25-26 When God forgives & we forgive… When God forgives & we forgive… We will be forgiven! We will be forgiven! When God forgives & we do not… When God forgives & we do not… We will not be forgiven! We will not be forgiven! When God forgives & we do not… When God forgives & we do not… We are lost & need forgiveness! We are lost & need forgiveness!