• What forgiveness is
    • The result of a combination:
      • Change of mind (repentance)
      • Request for forgiveness
      • Desire to mend the relationship (reconciliation)
        • On the part of the one forgiving (Romans 12:18; II Peter 3:9)
        • On the part of the offender
      • Accessibility to the one forgiving (II Corinthians 5:18-20)
        • Matthew 11:28-30
        • Matthew 23:37
  • What forgiveness is not
    • It is not quid pro quo – Colossians 3:12-13
      • How did Jesus forgive us?
      • What did it cost Him?
      • What did He want in return?
    • It is not forgetting
      • We remember our own sins (who can forget?)
        • Learn from the experience (James 1:2-3)
        • Gain strength against repeat offenses
      • We put them behind us and press on
        • Philippians 3:13-14 – Oops! Forget?
        • I Timothy 1:12-16 – Not forget, but put behind, set aside
        • Luke 7:36-48
        • Romans 6:23
    • It is not avoiding one who you have forgiven
      • Peter and James
        • On the water (Matthew 14:26-31)
        • On the night of betrayal (Matthew 26:69-75)
        • Denying fellowship with Gentile Christians (Galatians 2:11-13)
        • Forgiveness
          • Renewed the relationship
          • The forgiven not relegated to lower state of service
          • Continued as an apostlesLed 1st Gospel sermon (Acts 2)
          • First to take the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10)
          • Wrote important epistles (I and II Peter)
      • Us and others
        • We are not better than Jesus
        • Our forgiveness should be for mending, not separating (Matthew 5:23-24)
        • Our desire to forgive should be as His desire to forgive us