Hurt –> Anger –> Bitterness –> Hard-Heart
Ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.
Healing wounds is not an event; it is a process.
Acknowledge the hurt.
Face it so you can feel it so that you can forgive it.
Genesis 45:1-2, 4
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!
Genesis 50:20
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Surrender my right to punish.
Romans 12:17-19
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Forgiveness is:
- About Freedom Forgiveness is not:
- Justifying Their Actions
- Letting Them off the Hook
- Guarantee of Reconciliation
- Guarantee We’ll Do Life Together
Pray for them.
Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who hurt you.
(paraphrased)
Be open to reconciliation.
Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Forgiveness
- I Do
Fellowship
We do if and only if:
- True Repentance
- Change
- Trust
- Honor
- Respect
“I was wrong; I am sorry. Will you forgive me?”
Titus 3:10-11
Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
Pray for divine strength, healing, and freedom.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.”
Philippians 3:13b-14
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
God, I’m ready TO STOP pretending like pain in my past is not affecting my present. Please forgive me for holding onto unforgiveness. Today, I declare I am getting rid of this unforgiveness and letting go of this hurt and anger. I completely forgive in Jesus’ name, and I thank you that you are healing these wounds that were inflicted. I thank you that you are making me whole and setting me free. And I declare that I am giving up my right to judge or punish this person. I completely forgive. It’s all in your hands now, in Jesus’ name, amen!