Forgiveness

Dr. Richard Shropshire - The Barnabas Connection

Biblical forgiveness is not:

1. Circumventing God's system of justice - every one will be held accountable for their deeds

2. Granting a pardon - only the Supreme Judge has authority to do so

3. Making excuses - Jesus didn't say, "Father, excuse them for they know not what they do . . ."

4. Saying that sin doesn't hurt - Jesus hurt when He hung on the Cross; the Father and the Spirit hurt when they saw His agony

5. Being a doormat - God doesn't call us to contribute or give approval to another's sin

6. Being reconciled when there is no repentance

Biblical forgiveness is:

"Hurling" away the burden of another's sin toward us, refusing to hold on to it

If we hold on to it, it will cause resentment, bitterness, depression

BUT

If we, by an act of our will, choose to hurl it away, we can stay healthy

The process:

1. When someone sins against us, we refuse to hold on to anger and resentment and we release forgiveness

2. When the memory of their sin comes to mind, we again release forgiveness

3. We keep releasing it until it stays away - biblical forgiveness is both an event and a process

Pray:

Father, I want to release the miracle of forgiveness. I am unable and incapable on my own; but in Jesus' name, I release resentment; I release judgment; I release all active anger toward (insert the name of the person. ) In the name of Jesus, I hurl it away from me, choosing in His name to forgive. Start the healing process in me.

The key to forgiving others is to quit focusing on what they did to you, and start focusing on what God did for you. You cannot move forward safely while looking in the rear-view mirror.