Forgiving and Being Forgiven

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 18:21–35 NKJV

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

We need to be forgiven

Sin separates us from God

Isaiah 59:1–2 NKJV

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

Sin is falling short of God’s glory

Romans 3:23 NKJV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Sin is failing to live up to God’s holy standards and requirements

Sin is trespassing—stepping across God’s clear boundaries for our lives

Sin is missing the mark—missing the bull’s-eye of God’s perfection

God’s Dilemma

He loves us and does not want us to go to hell

God is holy and just and cannot overlook the sin in our lives

God’s Solution—The Cross of Jesus

Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world

John 1:29 NKJV

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

How are we forgiven?

Believe on Jesus

John 3:16 NKJV

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Ephesians 2:8 NKJV

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Confess our sins

1 John 1:9 NKJV

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Prayer for Salvation and Forgiveness

“Dear God, I confess that I am a sinner. I have sinned against You, a holy and

just God who knows all. There is nothing hidden from Your sight. I recognize that my sin has separated me from You. I do not make excuse for myself but confess my sin before You. I believe that Jesus is the Lamb of God who came to take away my sin on the Cross. Therefore I receive You, Lord Jesus, as my Savior from sin. I choose now to renounce and to turn away from my sin. I ask that you forgive and cleanse me from my sin now through Your precious blood. By faith I receive Your forgiveness. By faith I receive cleansing from all of my unrighteousness. I choose now to live a new life in Christ in gratitude for all that You have done for me. I make You the Lord of my life. From this day forward, I am not my own. I belong to You. Thank You Father God. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

Forgiveness (Definition)

to choose reconciliation

to allow mercy to triumph over judgment

to cancel debt

to release from obligation

to pardon from penalty

to cease rehearsing and nursing a past offense

Why forgiving others is necessary

Forgiveness is not an option, God requires it.

God has forgiven us a greater debt. We are required to show our gratitude by extending forgiveness to others.

Unforgiveness is like a cancer that will eat up the soul of the person who will not forgive.

Forgiveness breaks the spiritual bond that causes people to respond in negative ways toward each other

The consequences of unforgiveness are severe

If we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us

If we do not forgive others from the heart, we will be turned over to the tormentors

If we forgive, we can receive God’s forgiveness and cleansing

Forgiveness is the principal key to freedom in all other areas of ministry that will be covered in this Encounter Seminar.

Prayer “To Walk in Forgiveness”

(Prayers That Avail Much, Harrison House, 1989)]

“Father, in the name of Jesus, I make a fresh commitment to You to live in peace and harmony, not only with the other brothers and sisters of the Body of Christ, but also with my friends, associates, neighbors, and family.

I let go of all bitterness, resentment, envying, strife, and unkindness in any form. I give no place to the devil in Jesus’ name. Now Father, I ask Your forgiveness. By faith, I receive it, having assurance that I am cleansed from all unrighteousness through Jesus Christ. I ask You to forgive and release all who have wronged and hurt me. I forgive and release them. Deal with them in your mercy and loving-kindness.

From this moment on, I purpose to walk in love, to seek peace, to live in agreement, and to conduct myself toward others in a manner that is pleasing to You. I know that I have right standing with You and Your ears are attentive to my prayers.

It is written in Your Word that the love of God has been poured forth into my heart by the Holy Ghost who is given to me. I believe that love flows forth into the lives of everyone I know, that I may be filled with and abound in the fruits of righteousness which bring glory and honor unto You, Lord, in Jesus’ name. So be it!”

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