Moving Forward Through Forgiveness

God cares deeply about the subject of forgiveness. When we refuse to forgive someone, it affects every area of our lives - spiritual, emotional, mental, and even our physical health. Did you know that forgiving someone can reduce stress, anxiety and the risk of heart attack? 

 

Listen to this message and be encouraged to forgive others. 

 

From Sunday 03/07/2021

 

 

1) WHAT FORGIVENESS IS:

• To grant relief from payment
• The offender no longer owes you anything

 

• To pardon or release an offense without requiring a penalty
• This simply means you’re taking the punishment out of your hands.
• It’s not up to you to decide how someone who’ll be punished, you must release that to God. 

 

• To cancel debt
• Often we feel like someone who’s wrong us, owes us something.
• They don’t — They don’t owe us anything.
• Maybe not even an apology.
• Forgiving others isn’t based on their actions it's based on ours.

 

• Forgiveness is a decision, not a feeling. 
• Forgiveness is a conscious and continuous decision no matter how I feel.

 

2: WHAT FORGIVENESS ISN’T:

• It doesn’t mean that we deny or ignore the offense, saying the offense was ok or not important
• When we forgive someone and release them of what they owe us — it’s not an agreement that the offense was ok. 

 

• It doesn’t mean the offended will not be held responsible for his/her actions
• Remember, releasing them of a penalty doesn’t mean there are no consequences.
• It means you are no longer, the judge, jury, and executioner.
• You release that to God — Scripture says that “Vengeance is mine says the Lord”.
• For example — If someone wrongs you in a way that is outside of the law — Hurt you physically, stole from you, threatened you. — We’re required to forgive them but they still may face consequences.

 

• It doesn’t mean we are required to stay in relationship with the offender
• Forgiveness doesn’t mean you become a doormat or that you can’t stand up for yourself.

 

3) WHY FORGIVENSS IS NECESSARY:

• It’s non-negotiable. God requires it.
• It is the principle key that paves the way to freedom is all other areas of our lives.
• It breaks the negative spiritual bond between people, releasing both sides into freedom. 
• The Bible tells us the consequences of not forgiving are severe.