Forgiveness

What Did You Learn About Forgiveness?

What does it mean to forgive?

2 Greek Terms

ἀφίημι (aphiēmi)

Primary word for forgiveness

To dismiss or release someone or something

To let go or send away

It was often used for:

Releasing a prisoner

Sending someone away

Leaving something behind

Cancelling a debt

χαρίζομαι (charizomai)

Comes from the word for grace (charis).

“To give freely as a favor; to give graciously”

“To graciously forgive”

It emphasizes that forgiveness is a gift…

Not something that is earned

“To cancel a sum of money that is owed”

When God forgives us…

He graciously releases us from the debt we owe because of sin

The Greatest Parable on Forgiveness

Matthew 18:21–35 NET

21 Then Peter came to him and said, “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother who sins against me? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, I tell you, but seventy-seven times! 23 “For this reason, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves.24 As he began settling his accounts, a man who owed ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 Because he was not able to repay it, the lord ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, children, and whatever he possessed, and repayment to be made. 26 Then the slave threw himself to the ground before him, saying, ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay you everything.’ 27 The lord had compassion on that slave and released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 After he went out, that same slave found one of his fellow slaves who owed him one hundred silver coins. So he grabbed him by the throat and started to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe me!’29 Then his fellow slave threw himself down and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay you.’ 30 But he refused. Instead, he went out and threw him in prison until he repaid the debt. 31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were very upset and went and told their lord everything that had taken place. 32 Then his lord called the first slave and said to him, ‘Evil slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me! 33 Should you not have shown mercy to your fellow slave, just as I showed it to you?’ 34 And in anger his lord turned him over to the prison guards to torture him until he repaid all he owed. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to you, if each of you does not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Forgiveness is the removal of great debt

But all debt must be paid

Forgiveness is when the one who was harmed…

Graciously chooses to pay the bill themselves

Psalm 103:6–13 NIV

6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: 8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

Forgiveness is removing our sins & guilt far away from us

Forgiveness is about love, compassion, patience, & reconciliation

Forgiveness Doesn’t Mean:

Forgetting

God doesn’t forget our sin

He chooses to no longer hold it against us

Trust

Trust must be earned over time

It’s possible to fully forgive someone…

While not yet fully trusting them

Removing consequences

One can be forgiven, but that doesn’t mean they won’t still suffer

Excusing sin

Forgiveness acknowledges the wrong that was done…

But chooses to not hold it against the person anymore

Conditions of Forgiveness

Repentance

God doesn’t forgive without repentance

He doesn’t expect us to do so either

For reconciliation & restoration of a relationship…

Both parties must cooperate

Confession/Acknowledgement of Sin

Without sorrow & change of heart…

Forgiveness can’t happen

Along with that sorrow & change of heart…

Should come confession of the wrong-doing

Psalm 32:1–5 NET

1 How blessed is the one whose rebellious acts are forgiven, whose sin is pardoned! 2 How blessed is the one whose wrongdoing the Lord does not punish, in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 When I refused to confess my sin, my whole body wasted away, while I groaned in pain all day long. 4 For day and night you tormented me; you tried to destroy me in the intense heat of summer. (Selah) 5 Then I confessed my sin; I no longer covered up my wrongdoing. I said, “I will confess my rebellious acts to the Lord.” And then you forgave my sins. (Selah)

Why is Forgiveness Difficult?

Because it is unfair

Owing a debt, and then having that debt removed is not fair

Justice says: “You owe me!”

Forgiveness says: “I’ll pay your debt for you.”

We Forgive Because We are Forgiven

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Colossians 3:13 NIV

13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

What Is Forgiveness?