Kingdom Principle: Because we are sinners, we need forgiveness from God and others. This comes through repenting of our sin and granting and receiving the forgiveness that is ours in Christ.
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_______________________ from Others
Luke 11:4 (ESV) — 4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”
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Is there a condition on being forgiven by God?
Matthew 6:12 (ESV) — 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matthew 6:14 (ESV) — 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,
Forgiveness is granted not earned.
aphiénai, “to send off,” can have such varied nuances as “to release,” “to hurl,” “to let be,” “to pardon.” áphesis, which is less common, is used for “release” (from office, obligation, debt, penalty).
Matthew 18:21–27
Because we have been granted such an immeasurable gift, in the forgiveness of our sins, we are now obligated and inclined to grant forgiveness to others.
Matthew 18:28–35
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How do we ________________ and _______________ forgiveness?
Matthew 18:21 (ESV) 21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
When we refuse to forgive, we assume the position of God and determine what the punishment for their sin should be.
Romans 12:17–21 (ESV) — 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
When we forgive, we not only release the one who has sinned against us from the obligation and penalty of their sin toward us, we also free ourselves from being the one who will execute the penalty for that sin. How freeing!
Luke 17:3–4 (ESV) — 3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
Repentance brings about the restoration of the relationship between the one offended and the one who has committed the offence.
Questions to Consider
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Is there someone the Lord is calling you to forgive? What is standing in the way of this forgiveness?
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Is there someone the Lord is calling you to seek forgiveness from? Have you repented of your sin and received the forgiveness that is available between you in Christ?
