1. SOME BIBLICAL PRIORITIES

2. BIBLICAL COMMANDS TO FORGIVE AND LOVE ENEMIES Matt. 6:14-15 Mark 11:25 Matt. 5:43-45a We forgive whether they deserve it or not

3. THE CYCLE OF JUSTICE MUST BE COMPLETED Gal. 6:7 The desire for justice is a God-given sentiment The laments and imprecatory Psalms Sometimes we may hold back the call to forgive until wounds are impacted by grace

4. THE CYCLE OF JUSTICE MUST BE COMPLETED Three Principles that lead to healing Justice will be served, in this world or next God will turn it to Good Rom. 8:28 God’s love is greater than the wickedness faced Rom. 5:5 To urge Accountability is ultimately an act of kindness Heb 10:31

5. THE CYCLE OF JUSTICE MUST BE COMPLETED Judgement is often presented as humiliation Isa 5:15-16 If the perpetrator repents: healing for the wounded through Fruits of repentance The knowledge that God’s spotless son was punished for it

6. CHRISTIANS AS SALT AND YEAST Matt. 5:13 Salt Matt 13:33 Yeast Healed people can be agents of healing We must contribute at the micro level Some can contribute at a macro level

7. THE PLACE OF REPENTANCE OF THE PERPETRATOR Luke 17:3 Context is of restoration to fellowship

8. RECONCILIATION REQUIRES WALKING IN THE LIGHT 1 John 1:7 The context is accepting that we have sinned Christians tend to focus on the relational aspect The wounded... on the substantial aspect

9. THE BIBLICAL CONCEPT OF CORPORATE SOLIDARITY There is wrong on both sides. So we ask for forgiveness We take responsibility for the sins of our own people Dan. 9 Neh. 1:6

10. DEVOUT CHRISTIANS MAY LOOK AT SAME ISSUES FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES Sennacherib’s invasion of Judea 2 Kings 19 Isaiah saw sovereignty of God Micah saw destruction of cities Jer. 29 letter to the exiles to thrive in Babylon Psa 137 could not sing the Lord’s song in a strange land

11. DEVOUT CHRISTIANS MAY LOOK AT SAME ISSUES FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES We can agree on basic issues—e.g. Justice We may change our minds after listening to other side