Gtoctr/fs032722
Key Scripture: 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
We also should be faithful and just to forgive others of their sin. Today’s sermon will be about you forgiving others.
Important Points:
1. Forgiveness absolves a person from the penalties, not the responsibilities,
of the past.
2. There is a difference between asking to be forgiven and asking to
be excused.
3. There is a difference between forgiveness and restoration.
4. Forgiveness does not mean “I agree with you.”
5. Forgiveness is the measure of God in the one who is forgiving, it is not the measure of the person being forgiven.
Matthew 18 NKJV
21 ¶ Then Peter came to Him
and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?
Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus said to him, “I do
not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
When Peter asked Jesus how often he should forgive his brother who sins against him, Jesus responded with an overwhelming number: 70 times 7, that is to say, every time.
Luke 6:37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
In fact, a promise is connected to us forgiving others of their trespasses against us. Jesus said if we forgive others we will be forgiven also. This is the basic principle of sowing and reaping and treating others like we want to be treated ourselves. The grace of God is sufficient so that we might access His storehouse and forgive others in Christ.
Forgiveness is both a right and responsibility. Each offender has a right to be forgiven because forgiveness is based upon the blood of Jesus. The offender has a right to be forgiven while the one who is offended has a responsibility to forgive. Forgiveness is not based on what the person does or does not do, rather forgiveness is based on what Jesus did.
Forgiveness does not mean “I agree with you” or let alone, “I want to be in business or in bed with you.”
When you forgive someone, it does not let them off the hook with God … it lets you off the hook with God.
Forgiveness
is the measure of God in you, not the measure of the other person.
Commentary:
When a person is born again, they become a new creation in Christ and as such gain access to a storehouse of God’s grace. This storehouse is filled with every good and precious promise, all paid for by the blood of Jesus. At the point of salvation, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sins, old things pass away, and all things become new. We are forgiven the eternal debt of sin and are given and open door into God’s grace of continued forgiveness.
Without question the grace of God is sufficient to cover every failure and the sins which do so often beset the saint. The grace of forgiveness comes when we recognize our sin before God, confess our sin to God, and forsake that sin. This grace is available and abundant when accessed by a true heart of repentance. More than simply saying, “excuse me” we must mean “forgive me” with solemn contrition because each request makes its demand on the blood of Christ. For without the blood there can be no forgiveness.
Not only can we access the grace of forgiveness that we need for our sin, but we also can access the grace of forgiveness which we need to pardon others. Just as Jesus said, “forgive and you will be forgiven.” Forgiveness is a right while restoration is a responsibility.
Forgiveness does not relieve one of the responsibilities for their past. However, forgiveness does absolve and fully pardon from the eternal penalties of the past. Forgiveness is the responsibility of the one who was offended while restoration often costs the offender.
If
you have sinned against someone else, humble yourself and repent. If possible,
let the other person know you accept responsibility for what you said, did, or
did not do. Don’t make excuses … make restoration where possible.
Once you repent to God for your sin, He is faithful and just and He will forgive you of your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. People may not always be so gracious. If they don’t forgive you, forgive them for not forgiving you.
