Reading: Freely Forgive by Brian DeCook

Freely Forgive

Scripture references: Luke 17:3-4; Matt. 18:21-22; Eph. 4:32; Gal. 2:20; Luke 23:34a; Matt. 18:23-35

1.         When sin is confessed and forgiveness requested, the Lord commands us to forgive. Luke 17:3-4; Matt. 18:21-22

2.         Because of what Jesus Christ accomplished at the cross, the Lord freely forgives us when we confess our sins to Him and He empowers us to treat others the same way. Eph. 4:32

3.         We cannot earn or deserve God's forgiveness; therefore we have no right to impose such requirements on those who wrong us.

4.         Our ability to forgive flows from the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Gal. 2:20; Luke 23:34a

5.         When we refuse to forgive, we open ourselves to spiritual bondage and torment until we forgive. Matt. 18:23-35

6.         Whatever we confess to the Father, He forgives. Whatever is confessed to us, He will empower us to forgive. We are His ambassadors of reconciliation.

7.         What does it mean to forgive? The Four Promises of Forgiveness (Ken Sande, The Peacemaker, Baker Books, 2004; www.hispeace.org):

               1. I will not dwell on this incident;

               2. I will not bring up this incident again and use it against you;

               3. I will not talk to others about this incident; and

               4. I will not let this incident stand between us or hinder our personal relationship. (Subject to appropriate godly boundaries.)

8.         The words that can extinguish the Wildfire - "I forgive you.”