FORGIVENESS OF OTHERS

 

1.      Definition and Characteristics

2.      The Ultimate Resolution

3.      Letters

 

 

DEFINITION AND CHARACTERISTICS

 

Definition of Forgiveness:

 

(Greek) To free fully, release, pardon, to send forth (put away), to grant a favor. 

The word is from the same root as charis, “Grace.”

 

 

 

Characteristics of Forgiveness:

 

Forgiveness is NOT a feeling.

      You make a choice to forgive, it is an act of your will.  By forgiving, you choose to bless instead of having resentment and bitterness.  Again and again we must make this choice, whether or not we feel an emotional or sentimental love for that person.  In this process, the Spirit of God causes forgiveness to become real in our hearts and the feelings will come.

 

 

1.  What should your forgiveness be compared to?     Colossians 3:12-13

 

 

 

 

Forgiveness is NOT forgetting.

      Jesus never demands the impossible.  He does not expect you to forget you have been hurt.  But, with the healing power of forgiveness, you will no longer feel the pain of your wounds or act out that pain in your daily life.  You must choose to not dwell upon the offense, stop talking about it in your mind or to others.  You will still have a memory of what happened, but the pain and hurt will not be in your soul and spirit.

 

 

2.  What thoughts should be in your mind?     Philippians 4:8

 

 

 

 

Forgiveness is NOT the other person being repentant.

      Holding on to your right to be angry or expecting that person to say “I am sorry” is not what will set you free from the hurt and pain others have caused.  Jesus died for us while we were still sinners.     Romans 5:8

 

 

3.  What did Jesus say while He was on the cross?     Luke 23:34

 

Forgiveness IS learned.

      Part of the fruit of the Spirit is forgiveness, it is not a part of your fleshly feelings.  You have to learn from the Word of God to do that which is spiritual.  You have to be told to do the things of God, it does not come natural to you because you are of Adam.  When you are born again you have to learn how to act like one of God’s children.

 

4.  How does the natural man feel?     1 Corinthians 2:14

 

 

 

 

Forgiveness IS a blessing.

      In Luke 6:37-38, the Word says that what you give will be given to you, so if you want to be forgiven, then you have to forgive.  It is not easy to do but it is profitable.

 

5.  What are you called to do and what will you inherit?     1 Peter 3:9-10

 

 

 

 

Forgiveness IS healing.

      You are accountable for the way you respond to people who hurt you, not for the hurt.  Unforgiveness is sin and when you are able to let go of the problem and ask God for forgiveness for the way you have responded, you will be set free to receive from God.

 

6.  What do you receive when you confess and pray?     James 5:16

 

 

 

 

Forgiveness IS restoration.

      You have received compassion and mercy from God so now it can be passed to others.  You are restored to God when you forgive.

 

7.  What do you receive if you forgive?     Matthew 6:14-15

 

 

THE ULTIMATE RESOLUTION

 

      The ultimate resolution for our anger is forgiveness.  Since we have received God’s forgiveness for our abortion(s), we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to forgive those involved in our abortion experience, or anyone that has caused us hurt and pain.

 

1.  Make a list of who you need to forgive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  Review any letters you wrote in the anger chapter and add to your list.

 

 

3.  Write a letter of forgiveness to each person on your list.  Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to forgive.  These letters are you and the Lord, only in certain situations should they be mailed.  Pray for the release of your feelings.  Delight thyself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Psalm 37:4