Getting Over It – How Do I Forgive Others?
Matthew 18:21–22 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (NIV)
3 Reasons Why We Should Forgive
1. Because God has forgiven me
Matthew 18:33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ (NIV)
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ, God forgave you.” (NIV)
Luke 7:47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” (NLT)
2. Resentment makes me miserable
Matthew 18:33-34 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. (NIV)
Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. (NIV)
Bitterness imprisons life: Love releases it.
Bitterness paralyzes life: Love empowers it.
Bitterness sours life: Love sweetens it
Bitterness sickens life: Love heals it.
Bitterness blinds life: Love opens its eyes
3. I’m going to need forgiveness again
Matthew 18:35 “This is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” (NIV)
Matthew 6:14–15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NIV)
Mark 11:25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. (NIV)
1. Release the person entirely
A. Determine what they owe you
B. Cancel their debt
2. Recognize God’s purpose in the process
Genesis 50:19–20 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (NIV)
3. Reestablish as much as possible
Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (NIV)
4. Repeat the process
Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (NIV)
