The Application of Forgiveness

Mark 11:25–26 ESV

25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Introduction:

How do we apply forgiveness?

What does it look like in our lives?

How should it operate?

Thesis:

God’s forgiveness of believers’ sins leads them to pray for His forgiveness of others and to be forgiving in their dealings with other people.

[First it begins by…]

Prayers for Forgiveness on Behalf of Others

For God’s Own People

Exodus 32:30–32 ESV

30 The next day Moses said to the people, “You have sinned a great sin. And now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” 31 So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Alas, this people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold. 32 But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.”

See also Ne 1:4–11; Da 9:4–19; Am 7:1–6

For other Human Beings

As Abraham interceded for Sodom in Gen 18:20-33

Genesis 18:32–33 ESV

32 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” 33 And the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

For One’s Persecutors

Luke 23:33–34 ESV

33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

See also Mt 5:43–44; Ac 7:59–60

[You know forgiveness is working in your life, because you are actively trying to apply it to the lives of others. Then you are in a better position to deal with the…]

Prayers for Forgiveness for Oneself

Luke 11:4 ESV

4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”

See also Ne 9:1–3; Ps 51:1–17

A Great Example of Forgiving Self

Psalm 32:1–5 ESV

1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah 5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

See also Is 6:1–7; Jn 8:3–11

[The application of forgiveness in our lives is well noticed by our attitude in life. It becomes a principal by which we have chosen to live.]

The Call to Exercise Forgiveness

As a Principle of Life

Luke 6:37 ESV

37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;

See also Mt 5:38–48

Within the Church

Colossians 3:12–13 ESV

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

See also 2 Co 2:5–11; Eph 4:32; 1 Pe 3:8–9

Forgiving Enemies

Pr 24:17; Pr 25:21–22; Mt 5:44; Ro 12:20

Proverbs 24:17 ESV

17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,

Proverbs 25:21–22 ESV

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, 22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

Matthew 5:44 ESV

44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Romans 12:20 ESV

20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

[These are not easy things to do but are a sign that forgiveness is being applied in your life. Do you know what mostly counts if you are forgiven or not?]

Being Forgiven is Dependent on Forgiving Others

Mk 11:25–26 NIV footnote at verse 26.

Mark 11:25–26 ESV

25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

See also Mt 6:12; Mt 6:14–15; Mt 18:21–35; Lk 6:37

[Stingy forgiveness is not a sign of the application of forgiveness.]

Forgiveness is to be Without Limits

Luke 17:3–4 ESV

3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

See also Mt 18:21–22

A Great Example of Human Forgiveness

Acts 7:59–60 ESV

59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

See also Ge 50:15–21; 2 Sa 16:5–11

Conclusion:

God’s forgiveness of believers’ sins leads them to pray for his forgiveness of others and to be forgiving in their dealings with other people. That’s how you know that the application of forgiveness is working in your life.

Invitation: