Good News About Grace (3)

"Give as freely as you have received!" Matthew 10:8 (LB)

WHAT FORGIVENESS IS NOT

1. It isn't CONDITIONAL

2. It isn't MINIMIZING the seriousness of the offense

3. It isn't RESUMING a relationship without changes

4. It isn't FORGETTING what happened

5. It isn't MY RIGHT when I wasn't the one who was hurt

WHAT IS GENUINE FORGIVENESS?

1. REMEMBERING HOW MUCH I’VE BEEN GIVEN

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

2. RELINQUISHING MY RIGHT TO GET EVEN

"…Never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for He has said that He will repay those who deserve it." Romans 12:19 (LB)

3. RESPONDING TO EVIL WITH GOOD

"...do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you." Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)

"Love keeps no record of wrongs." 1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

4. REPEATING THE PROCESS AS LONG AS NECESSARY

"Peter asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No.' Jesus replied, ‘Seventy times seven!'"

Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT)

WHY OFFER GRACE TO OTHERS?

1. GOD IS GRACIOUS TO ME

Ephesians 4:32 NKJV

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

2. THE ALTERNATIVE IS BITTERNESS

"Be careful that none of you fails to respond to the grace which God gives, for if he does there can very easily spring up in him a bitter spirit which is not only bad in itself but can also poison the lives of many others."

Hebrews 12:15 (Ph)

3. GOD EXPECTS ME TO DO IT

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:15 (NIV)