Where does forgiveness come from?

• Combination

  • Change of mind (repentance)

  • Request

  • Desire to reconcile (Romans 12:18; II Peter 3:9; Colossians 3:12-13; Matthew 5:23-24

  • Accessibility to the one forgiving (II Corinthians 5:18-20; Matthew 11:28-30; 23:37)

What 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? (Acts 17:24-25)
  • He wants our hearts and our love. He doesn’t need anything from us!

Forgetting

• We remember our own sins (who can forget?)

  • Learn (James 1:2-3)

  • Gain strength against repeats.

• Put them behind us – press on! (Philippians 3:13-14; I Timothy 1:12-14(

Avoiding the offender

• Consider Peter and Jesus

  • On the water (Matthew 14:26-31)

  • Night of betrayal (Matthew 26:69-75)

  • Attitude toward Gentile Christians (Galatians 2:11-14)

  • Jesus’ forgiveness foreseen and planned for (Luke 22:31-32)

  • Relationship continually renewed

  • No demotion

  • Confidence given

For us toward others

• We are not better than Jesus
• Forgiveness for mending, not separating (Matthew 5:23-24)
• His desire should be our desire

Making excuses for the forgiven

• Accountable for their actions (Luke 19:8-9)
• If forgiveness needed, offense must have occurred.
• The devil didn’t make me do it.

Our attitude

• Our great desire

  • For our forgiveness

  • To forgive others

  • Forgiving brethren

  • Ephesians 4:32

  • We should be willing to out to others (I Peter 1:17-21; Ephesians 3:8-12)

  • Be accessible so others can receive forgiveness (Revelation 3:20)