Principles of Christian Living

Lesson 6

Lesson Text—Colossians 3:8-11

Colossians 3:8-118 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Lesson Text—Colossians 3:8-11

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Lesson Text—Colossians 3:12-14

Colossians 3:12-1412 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Lesson Text—Colossians 3:12-14

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Lesson Text—II Corinthians 2:7-9

II Corinthians 2:7-97 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.

Lesson Text—II Corinthians 2:7-9

9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.

Lesson Text—II Corinthians 2:10-11

II Corinthians 2:10-1110 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes for gave I it in the person of Christ;11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Focus Verse—Ephesians 4:32

Ephesians 4:32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one

another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Focus Thought

Accepting the forgiveness of

Jesus Christ obligates us to

forgive others, which allows us to

live free of bitterness.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartCULTURE CONNECTIONA Key Component to a

Healthy Life

Dr. Katherine Piderman, staff chaplain at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, addressed the topic of forgiveness as it pertains to a person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being: “Generally, forgiveness is a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartThe act that hurt or offended you may always remain a part of your life, but forgiveness can lessen its grip on you and help you focus on other, positive parts of your life. . . . Forgiveness brings a kind of peace that helps you go on with life” (www.mayoclinic.com).

When one thinks of the subject of living in forgiveness, he cannot help but recognize the quality added to life when one chooses to forgive.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartNot only does giving forgiveness enhance a person’s emotional and spiritual health, but the medical profession is now recognizing the probable impact that bitterness and unforgiveness have on one’s physical health. Bitterness and unforgiveness eat away at a person like a cancer.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartIn the December 31, 2007, issue of

the Los Angeles Times, Melissa Healy shared several of these correlations between health and forgiveness in her article “Forgive and Be Well?” She stated, “A growing corps of researchers. . . . have shown that ‘forgiveness interventions’ . . . can improve cardiovascular function, diminish chronic pain, relieve depression and boost quality of life among the very ill.”

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartIt is wonderful to live in

forgiveness, refusing to allow bitterness to taint our spirit and our life in Christ Jesus. It is abundant life.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartContemplating the Topic

Before Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the world was peaceful and beautiful. In the divine estimation, everything in it was “very good.” Concerns about making distinctions between good and evil did not exist. Mankind was there to commune with God and enjoy the blessings of life.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartHowever, when Adam and Eve swallowed the forbidden fruit, suddenly everything changed. First came sin and devastating guilt, followed by the grief and anguish of pain, death, and murder. This is the world as we know it today. No longer do we live in a place of pure peace and love. No longer can we say everything is very good. Today we live in a world that consists of both good and evil.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartWhen the good things of life come our way, we enjoy happiness, contentment, and peace. The challenge we face is how to navigate through life when evil and its destructive forces come against us. How can we avoid being overcome by evil and its poisonous fruit of bitterness? How do we face it, deal with it, and overcome it?

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartSEARCHING THE

SCRIPTURES

Results of an Unforgiving Heart

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” (Hebrews 12:14-15).

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartThe writer of the Book of Hebrews

wanted to prevent believers from falling short of the grace of God by allowing a root of bitterness to spring up, cause trouble, and ultimately defile them.

Hebrews 13:9 says it is good that “the heart be established with grace.” In other words, only the grace of God working in us can make our hearts right, pure, and undefiled. To whom does God give grace? He gives it to the humble (James 4:6; I Peter 5:5).

I. Results of an Unforgiving Heart Could we conclude that a mark of humility is pursuing peace with all people and pursuing holiness? Does it follow that if we fail to pursue either one of these, then we limit God’s work of grace within our hearts? Certainly, this is one way believers could fall short, or come up short, of His grace. The first problem is that if we do not pursue peace and holiness, our hearts will not receive the grace we need. This omission leads to the next problem: “Lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” (Hebrews 12:15).

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartThe choice seems to be whether we want to be at peace with many or want to defile many.

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love . . .” (Ephesians 3:17).

“Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:7).

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartIn Ephesians 3:17, Paul wrote that

we should be “rooted and grounded in love.” He further stated in Colossians 2:7 that we should be “rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith.” We need to have our hearts deeply rooted in love and in faith. Yet the Scriptures reveal it is possible for a heart to contain roots of bitterness, which defile a person and as a result can also defile many others.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartBitterness produces a destructive

poison. Its gnarled, acrid roots seek to strangle and destroy every good thing in a person’s heart, and the plant produces fruit of trouble and defilement. The Book of Revelation tells of a great star falling into the waters of the earth. It says, “The name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter” (Revelation 8:11).

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartWebster’s New World Dictionary informs that wormwood is a plant with bitter oil, but it can also refer to a “bitter, unpleasant, or mortifying experience,” the taste of which causes a grimace and leaves an unpleasant memory.

Sometimes a root of bitterness appears in a heart, but the plant has not yet sprung up or manifested itself visibly. This is the best time to pluck it up and replace it with a root of love and faith.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartWhat exactly is the root of

bitterness? Why does it affect people in such injurious ways? Why does it lead to hatred for other people? The root of bitterness is unforgiveness. When people are not willing to forgive others, they unknowingly plant in their hearts the roots that eventually spring up as bitterness. This is why Paul wrote, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.”

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartIn contrast to bitterness and its ugly fruit, he advised, “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

II. Choosing to ForgivenessChoosing to Forgive

Many people become bitter because they have never made the deliberate choice to forgive. The word translated “forgiveness” means to send away; unfortunately, many of us prefer to tighten our grip on perceived or known wrongs rather than let them go. We may clench a fist around the desire to get even. Harboring a vindictive spirit makes some people feel justified, but this feeling is not the spiritual reality.

I. Results of an Unforgiving Heart The only true justification comes from God’s forgiveness toward us, not our retribution against others. As Paul wrote, we are “justified by his blood” (Romans 5:9).

In contrast, Jesus Christ quickly released wrongs and hurts. While hanging on the cross He said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). He did not wait for His executioners to ask for forgiveness. He took the initiative in granting forgiveness to His enemies. As His followers, we should do likewise.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartChrist’s example points to the

deepest motivation we can have for forgiving others. One great benefit is that forgiveness frees our hearts from the corruption of bitterness. Certainly, forgiving others is in our own best interest; but more important, we should forgive others because God has forgiven us. Paul asserted this when he wrote to the Colossians: “Even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye” (Colossians 3:13).

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartThe Bible links forgiveness with

love. For example, Jesus said, “To whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little” (Luke 7:47). He did not suggest that some of us have been forgiven only a little; He meant that some do not perceive and appreciate how much they have been forgiven. That they do not show much love toward others reveals this, especially when it comes to forgiving those who may offend them.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartJesus told a story in Matthew 18 of a

man who received forgiveness for a great debt he had no means to pay. He then went out and demanded that a man who owed him a comparatively small amount repay every cent. This story illustrates the extent of God’s displeasure with people who gladly receive His forgiveness yet refuse to forgive others. The biblical principle is, “Freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). We need no other reason to choose to forgive than that God has graciously forgiven us a great debt we could never repay.

A. Put on the New ManA. Put on the New Man

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul reminded them that believers have “put on the new man” (Colossians 3:10), which he described in a way similar to putting on a coat. The believer is to put aside such things as anger, filthy communication, and lying (Colossians 3:8-9). He told the believers to put off these old behaviors and put on the new life that is anchored in Christ Jesus.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartThey were to stop acting in ungodly ways and put on Christ. Now that we are saved, we too should stop acting according to the old ways and begin acting like our Creator. When we are living in Christ Jesus, we should be quick to forgive those who commit wrongs against us, regardless of the seriousness of the transgression.

B. Put on MercyB. Put on Mercy

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness” (Colossians 3:12-14).

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartPaul reminded the believers they are

“the elect of God.” This means God Himself has chosen each of us, which opened to us the opportunity to embrace His call and become one of His children who demonstrate His values on the earth. Paul also called the believers “holy and beloved.” This reveals that God sets us apart, no longer to serve ourselves but to serve Him and to glorify Him in all we say and do.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartPaul enumerated the virtues of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearance, and forgiveness. The list culminated with the virtue of love (“charity” in the KJV), which he described as the “bond of perfectness.” The NIV translates verse 14: “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartEach of these virtues is actually an attribute of God’s love and therefore should become an attribute of our character as Christians. As John wrote, “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” (I John 4:16). When all these godly virtues are alive within our hearts, we can then say we have put on Christ and are abiding in His love.

C. Forgive One AnotherC. Forgive One Another

The last two virtues in Colossians 3:13 are forbearance and forgiveness. To forbear means to “put up with, bear with, or endure.” This is very different from forgiveness. To forgive means to release a person from something he owes or to pardon someone from the penalty he deserves.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartSome things require forgiveness

while many other things just require that we endure them with fortitude and patience. For example, a person might falsely accuse us or speak unkindly of us in a way that insults or demeans us personally. Such wrongs would require forgiveness. On the other hand, if a person were to say something we do not like, possibly expressing a personal opinion with which we disagree, they have not wronged us or transgressed against us.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartThey only said something we did not like. In this case, the offended person needs to exercise forbearance.

Like forgiveness, forbearance is a very important ingredient in keeping the body of Christ together in unity. We may not always like everything our brothers and sisters do or say, but that does not necessarily mean they are committing wrongs against us. We must reject the common carnal responses in such circumstances—the evil behaviors of bitterness, rejection, and retaliation.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartIt is far better just to bear such disagreements and differences.

Both forgiveness and forbearance are vital in the body of Christ.

III. Examples of ForgivenessExamples of Forgiveness

Jesus cautioned that offenses would come (Luke 17:1). No matter how carefully we may endeavor to live rightly, people will sometimes commit wrongs against us. These occasions test our commitment to the invaluable virtue of forgiveness and to the other virtuous principles of living within the body of Christ, the church. Paul offered some advice regarding forgiveness in some specific situations where it was important to forgive.

A. Forgive Onesimus Our Servant

A. Forgive Onesimus Our Servant

While in prison, Paul met a runaway servant, Onesimus, whom he won to the Lord. Rather than keep this man with him as a personal helper, Paul sent him back to the man from whom Onesimus had fled, Philemon. Paul included a letter that urged Philemon to forgive the disobedient Onesimus and to receive him as if it were Paul himself.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartTo encourage Philemon to forgive the servant who had wronged him, Paul added, “If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught, put that on mine account” (Philemon 17-18). Paul understood that the only way to right this wrong was for Philemon to forgive his runaway servant whom he must now regard as a brother in Christ Jesus.

B. Forgive the Disciplined Brother

B. Forgive the Disciplined Brother

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul instructed the brethren to disassociate one of their members from fellowship due to his persistent and flagrant immorality. In his second letter to the Corinthians, he implored them to welcome a man, perhaps the man expelled from fellowship in I Corinthians, back into their fellowship due to his sincere repentance.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartPaul told them to confirm their love toward the man by forgiving him and comforting him. Paul said this to prevent the repentant man from being “swallowed up with overmuch sorrow” (II Corinthians 2:7). Failing to welcome the repentant man back would have given Satan an advantage over them. Paul understood how genuine love is always willing to forgive and how the failure to forgive, when appropriate, plays into the hands of the adversary by bringing division into the church. If God has forgiven, who are we to withhold forgiveness?

IV. Removing the RootRemoving the RootWhenever people refuse to forgive,

they separate themselves from the source of grace and weaken their resistance to sin and immorality. It all begins in the heart. As Jesus said, “Those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications . . .” (Matthew 15:18-19).

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartThis is why Solomon wrote, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). We must guard and protect our hearts by keeping them full of God’s grace. If we do not, it will be virtually impossible to resist temptation, and forgiving others will be beyond our reach.

A. Quick and Persistent Forgiveness

A. Quick and Persistent Forgiveness

In Jesus’ warning that offenses would come, the word He used for offense meant “a cause for stumbling.” In other words, every time someone trespasses against us, we are in danger of stumbling if we do not take care. This is why Jesus advised, “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him” (Luke 17:3).

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartJesus seemed to be saying that the way we keep ourselves from stumbling is by forgiving others.

Proverbs 18:19 says, “A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city.” Matthew 24:10 says that in the last days, “many [shall] be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.” These verses show the connection between offense and bitter hatred toward others, even our own brothers and sisters in Christ.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartIf forgiveness is the best way to avoid offense, then we should all strive to be quick to forgive.

We must not only forgive quickly but also persist in being willing to forgive. Jesus went on to say, “If he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him” (Luke 17:4). In Matthew 18:22, He said to forgive “seventy times seven.” In other words, there should be no end to our willingness to forgive.

B. Faith, Grace, and ForgivenessB. Faith, Grace, and

ForgivenessPerhaps the disciples questioned

Jesus about forgiveness because they sensed their weakness in that virtue. It would be easy for a person to think, I don’t know if I can forgive repeatedly when someone keeps sinning against me. I don’t think I’m capable of it. However, when God requires something of us we think we cannot do, we need more grace. How can we obtain more grace?

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartWe must turn to the Lord Jesus to “find grace to help in time of need”

Instead of asking for additional grace, the disciples said to the Lord, “Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5). Apparently they understood that the inability to forgive is caused by deficient faith. It is impossible to separate faith from obeying God, and God has commanded us to forgive others. If we find it hard to forgive, we should entreat God for help and believe He will give us enough grace to

obey Him.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartRomans 5:2 states, “We have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand.” Faith is the doorway to grace; it grants access to obtain grace. Thus we receive grace through faith, and, in turn, more grace increases our faith. When the disciples said, “Increase our faith,” it was as if they had asked, “Give us additional grace.”

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartJesus has given us the duty to forgive those who sin against us, regardless of circumstances. Forgiving the offender is not a special achievement that merits a reward. Forgiving someone does not mean we are especially spiritual. When we forgive someone, we should simply say, “I forgave this person because it was my duty to do so.”

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartINTERNALIZING THE

MESSAGE

Any believer who does not seriously pursue peace with the people around him and strive to grow in holiness has small faith, inadequate grace, and a lurking spirit of unforgiveness. God calls us to “abide in love,” which is to receive forgiveness from Him and to freely forgive others.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartThe Bible so strongly connects forgiveness and love that those who are unwilling to forgive cannot be said to have a heart of love. We forgive because we love, and we love because we forgive. The unwillingness to forgive is, in the end, the failure to love.

I. Results of an Unforgiving HeartFor some, the greatest hindrance to receiving anything from God is their unwillingness to forgive those who have trespassed against them. Rather than letting transgressions go, they clutch them like a miser hoarding his treasure. This produces a root of bitterness, which will one day spring up and cause much trouble and defilement. Let us have faith, let us receive grace, and let us pluck up the root of bitterness and cast it away.