DO WE NEED TO FORGIVE

DO WE NEED TO FORGIVE?

THESIS- We will all be examining forgiveness, so that we can all see how every part of our daily lives depend upon our ability to forgive.

INTRODUCTION- Psychology today lists 8 reasons why we should forgive.

1. These can be boiled down to three.

2. Sometimes in life we fail to realize how much forgiveness effects our lives.

3. But there are those who seem to think that it is not necessary.

4. The Bible says otherwise about our need for forgiveness.

5. We will look at three parts of our daily lives that truly depend on it.

I. OUR RELATIONAL HEALTH DEPENDS ON FORGIVENESS

A. Our relationships with family depend on forgiveness.

1.I am not speaking of minor spats that will inevitably happen, even though those too need forgiveness.

2.Jacob and Esau give us a good example on forgiveness in a family (Gen. 33:4).

3.Let us look at this example:

a) It shows us that time should not be a hindrance.

b) It shows us that forgiveness is important to both sides (even if it is not said).

B. Our relationship with friends depends on forgiveness.

1.Paul and Peter had a disagreement which ended in a rebuke by Paul (Gal. 2:11-12).

2.This disagreement did not damage their relationship or prevent work for God’s kingdom, because of the forgiveness which is implied between these two men.

II. OUR EMOTIONAL HEALTH DEPENDS ON FORGIVENESS

A. Forgiveness heals the scars on the emotions of others.

1.There are times in life when someone could be hurt by our actions.

2.Letting our pride go, we could help the other heal (Eph. 4:32).

B. Forgiveness heals the scars on the emotions of ourselves.

1.There will be times in life when someone will hurt us by their actions (James 5:16).

2.Even if forgiveness is not offered, we give it to free ourselves (Luke 6:27).

3.We need to count the cost of our offer of forgiveness compared to what Christ has done for our forgiveness.

III. OUR SPIRITUAL HEALTH DEPENDS ON FORGIVENESS

A. Our spiritual health directly affects our faith.

1.Sometimes weight is given to the goodness of God, based on the actions of His people.

2.Anger or bitterness prevents us from resting on God’s promises (Proverbs 10:12; John 16:22).

3.No matter the actions of another, let us show God’s love to everyone (1 John 4:7-8).

B. Our spiritual health directly affects our worship.

1.When we are bogged down by the actions of ourselves or others, we become distracted (Matthew 11:28-30).

2.When our focus is no longer God first, true worship is not possible, so we must focus on God (Romans 12:2).

3.If an obstacle has formed because of the actions of someone else or ourselves, we should make a sincere effort to reconcile with love (Mark 11:25).

CONCLUSION- All of us will fall into one of two categories today:

1. You might be one who has been hurt by another.

2. You might be one who has hurt another.

3. Either way, the hurt caused is nothing compared to what we heaped onto the cross.

4. Time does NOT heal all wounds, but true forgiveness will.

5. I challenge you today to be the one who forgives, and you will see that it will free you from the bondage of pain and guilt to worship with your whole heart.