the abundant life that comes through forgiveness

The Abundant life that The Abundant life that Comes Through Comes Through

ForgivenessForgiveness

What is the most appealing fruit that What is the most appealing fruit that is found in a Christian’s life?is found in a Christian’s life?

• Jesus plainly stated that He would give Jesus plainly stated that He would give every man who trusted Him this life. every man who trusted Him this life. (Jn 10:10; Jn 13:34-35)(Jn 10:10; Jn 13:34-35)


• John 10:10John 10:10 - "The thief does not come - "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I I have come that they may have lifehave come that they may have life, and , and that they may that they may have have it it more abundantlymore abundantly..


• John 13:34-35John 13:34-35 - "A new commandment I - "A new commandment I give to you, that you give to you, that you love one anotherlove one another; ; as I as I have loved youhave loved you, that you also love one , that you also love one another. 35 "By this another. 35 "By this all will know that you all will know that you are My disciplesare My disciples, if , if you have love for one you have love for one anotheranother."."


• You will find that what Jesus tells us to do You will find that what Jesus tells us to do will go against the instincts of our flesh! will go against the instincts of our flesh! (Jn 14:27)(Jn 14:27)


• John 14:27John 14:27 - " - "Peace I leave with youPeace I leave with you, My , My peace I give to you; peace I give to you; not as the world givesnot as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.troubled, neither let it be afraid.


• God made us and understands our real God made us and understands our real needs. needs.

• How we think is the key to a life that is How we think is the key to a life that is worth living. Have you really got to know worth living. Have you really got to know someone who is miserable and without someone who is miserable and without purpose?purpose?


• Have you been around a Christian that Have you been around a Christian that has a loving, purpose-filled life?has a loving, purpose-filled life?

• When we have no answers to our hurts, When we have no answers to our hurts, our guilt and our fears then we will live a our guilt and our fears then we will live a life that is filled with deception.life that is filled with deception.

• We have a wonderful Saviour who humbly We have a wonderful Saviour who humbly waits at the door of our hearts with all the waits at the door of our hearts with all the answers. Who will open? answers. Who will open? (Mt 11:28-30)(Mt 11:28-30)


• Matthew 11:28-30Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to Me, all - "Come to Me, all you you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon youTake My yoke upon you and and learn from Melearn from Me, for I am gentle and , for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 "For your souls. 30 "For My yoke My yoke is is easyeasy and and My burden is lightMy burden is light."."


• Will we really trust Him? What He asks is Will we really trust Him? What He asks is understandable but understandable but very, very hard to dovery, very hard to do. . We do not want to be cheated.We do not want to be cheated.

We must Learn How to Forgive We must Learn How to Forgive OthersOthers

• When the Lord tells us to “put on” When the Lord tells us to “put on” something, we are dealing with a learning, something, we are dealing with a learning, growing process. growing process. (Col 3:12-15)(Col 3:12-15)


• Colossians 3:12-15Colossians 3:12-15 - Therefore, as - Therefore, as the the elect of God, holy and beloved, elect of God, holy and beloved, put onput on tender mercies, kindness, humility, tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.must do. 14 But above all these things 14 But above all these things put put on loveon love, which is the , which is the bond of perfectionbond of perfection. .


• 15 And let 15 And let the peace of God rule in your the peace of God rule in your heartshearts, , to which also you were calledto which also you were called in in one body; and be thankful.one body; and be thankful.


• Until we learn to get out of ourselves then Until we learn to get out of ourselves then these things are impossible.these things are impossible.

• Will you be “cheated” by showing mercy, Will you be “cheated” by showing mercy, longsuffering and considering another better longsuffering and considering another better than yourselves? The world says yes!than yourselves? The world says yes!

• There is a wonderful burden lifted when you There is a wonderful burden lifted when you are no longer looking to see how others are no longer looking to see how others have cheated you, or how they have let you have cheated you, or how they have let you down.down.


• Going from a child to being a parent gives Going from a child to being a parent gives us perspective! us perspective!

• We must develop an attitude of We must develop an attitude of forgiveness. forgiveness.

• Why did Jesus and Stephen pray for Why did Jesus and Stephen pray for forgiveness of those in sin? forgiveness of those in sin? (Lk 23:34; Acts 7:60)(Lk 23:34; Acts 7:60)


• Luke 23:34Luke 23:34 - Then Jesus said, " - Then Jesus said, "Father, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what forgive them, for they do not know what they dothey do." And they divided His garments ." And they divided His garments and cast lots.and cast lots.

• Acts 7:60Acts 7:60 - Then he knelt down and cried - Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge Lord, do not charge them with this sinthem with this sin." And when he had said ." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.this, he fell asleep.


• Did they receive forgiveness without any Did they receive forgiveness without any repentance in their own hearts?repentance in their own hearts?

• No, they were later given opportunities to No, they were later given opportunities to repent. repent. (Acts 2:36-38)(Acts 2:36-38)


• Acts 2:36-38Acts 2:36-38 - "Therefore let all the - "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 37 Now when they both Lord and Christ." 37 Now when they heard heard this, this, they were cut to the heart, and they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ""Men Men and and brethren, what shall we dobrethren, what shall we do?" ?"


• 38 Then Peter said to them, "38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and Repent, and let every one of you be baptizedlet every one of you be baptized in the in the name of Jesus Christ name of Jesus Christ for the remission of for the remission of sinssins; and you shall receive the gift of the ; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.Holy Spirit.


• Can we release our desire for personal Can we release our desire for personal vengeance and give it to God vengeance and give it to God under allunder all circumstances? circumstances? (Rom 12:17-21)(Rom 12:17-21)


• Romans 12:17-21Romans 12:17-21 - Repay no one evil - Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but yourselves, but rather rather give place to wrathgive place to wrath; ; for it is written, "for it is written, "Vengeance Vengeance is is Mine, I will Mine, I will repayrepay," says the Lord. ," says the Lord.


• 20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, 20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." 21 on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by Do not be overcome by evilevil, but , but overcome evil with goodovercome evil with good..


• This goes against every instinct the world This goes against every instinct the world has taught us. Our failure to learn this will has taught us. Our failure to learn this will guarantee a defeated life.guarantee a defeated life.

• This is a must for us to move forward in a This is a must for us to move forward in a life of faith! life of faith! (Phil 3:13-14)(Phil 3:13-14)


• Philippians 3:13-14Philippians 3:13-14 - Brethren, I do not - Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but count myself to have apprehended; but one thing one thing I doI do, , forgetting those things forgetting those things which are behindwhich are behind and and reaching forward to reaching forward to those things which are aheadthose things which are ahead, 14 , 14 I press I press toward the goaltoward the goal for the prize of the upward for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.call of God in Christ Jesus.


• Can you do this “one thing?” Without it we Can you do this “one thing?” Without it we will be burdened beyond measure and will will be burdened beyond measure and will be enslaved to past hurts.be enslaved to past hurts.

We must Extend Forgiveness When We must Extend Forgiveness When Others Repent and Confess SinsOthers Repent and Confess Sins

• God forgives others following repentance God forgives others following repentance and confession. and confession. (Acts 8:22; 1 Jn 1:9)(Acts 8:22; 1 Jn 1:9)


• Acts 8:22Acts 8:22 - " - "RepentRepent therefore of this your therefore of this your wickedness, and wickedness, and pray Godpray God if perhaps the if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

• 1 John 1:91 John 1:9 - If we - If we confess our sinsconfess our sins, He is , He is faithful and just to faithful and just to forgive us forgive us our our sinssins and and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


• There is no forgiveness without There is no forgiveness without repentance. repentance.


• Anything you can do to help another see Anything you can do to help another see the guilt of their sin and turn to God in the guilt of their sin and turn to God in repentance is a great act of selfless repentance is a great act of selfless mercy. Please do not let another die in mercy. Please do not let another die in their sin. their sin. (Jn 8:24)(Jn 8:24)


• John 8:24John 8:24 - "Therefore I said to you that - "Therefore I said to you that you will you will die in your sinsdie in your sins; for if you do not ; for if you do not believe that I am believe that I am He, He, you will you will die in your die in your sins.“sins.“


• We cannot forgive a sin without We cannot forgive a sin without repentance! repentance! (Lk 17:3-4)(Lk 17:3-4)


• Luke 17:3-4Luke 17:3-4 - "Take heed to yourselves. If - "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and and if he repents, forgive himif he repents, forgive him. 4 "And if he . 4 "And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, seven times in a day returns to you, saying, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him'I repent,' you shall forgive him.“.“


• It would be the ultimate act of personal It would be the ultimate act of personal vengeance to let a person walk in sin and vengeance to let a person walk in sin and you decide to “let it go.”you decide to “let it go.”

• When some think they are more loving When some think they are more loving than God and extend forgiveness where than God and extend forgiveness where God does not is playing into Satan’s hand.God does not is playing into Satan’s hand.

• There is a big difference between There is a big difference between someone hurting you and someone someone hurting you and someone sinning against yousinning against you. . (1 Jn 3:4)(1 Jn 3:4)


• 1 John 3:41 John 3:4 - Whoever commits sin also - Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and commits lawlessness, and sin is sin is lawlessnesslawlessness..


• Longsuffering, bearing with another, Longsuffering, bearing with another, kindness, humility, meekness all deal with kindness, humility, meekness all deal with attitudes that let us quickly move on from attitudes that let us quickly move on from slights and hurtsslights and hurts..

Two Men Respond to Those That Two Men Respond to Those That Hurt ThemHurt Them

• The first man decides that he will follow The first man decides that he will follow the “common sense” of the world.the “common sense” of the world.

• He will take hurts personally and dwell on He will take hurts personally and dwell on them.them.

• He will seek a broader personal attack on He will seek a broader personal attack on the “transgressor.”the “transgressor.”

• Human standards of “punishment” are Human standards of “punishment” are sought – “eye for eye”; “probation”; “a time sought – “eye for eye”; “probation”; “a time of exile.”of exile.”


• The fault is never forgotten and can be The fault is never forgotten and can be quickly brought up if “needed.”quickly brought up if “needed.”

• The first man will in time experience The first man will in time experience problems with his relationships. problems with his relationships. (Jas 3:14-15)(Jas 3:14-15)


• James 3:14-16James 3:14-16 - But if you have - But if you have bitter bitter envyenvy and and self-seeking in your heartsself-seeking in your hearts, do , do not not boastboast and and lie against the truthlie against the truth. 15 This . 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but wisdom does not descend from above, but is is earthly, sensual, demonic. earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.


• He will live in a world of “throw-away He will live in a world of “throw-away people.”people.”

• He will learn to trust no one and those that He will learn to trust no one and those that know him will learn not to trust him!know him will learn not to trust him!

• The second man decides to follow the The second man decides to follow the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus.mercy and forgiveness of Jesus.

• Any faults he sees in others he first Any faults he sees in others he first remembers what Jesus did for him. remembers what Jesus did for him. (1 Tim 1:15-16)(1 Tim 1:15-16)


• 1 Timothy 1:15-161 Timothy 1:15-16 - This - This is is a faithful a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, sinners, of whom I am chiefof whom I am chief. 16 However, . 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.life.


• He wants to restore the offender’s He wants to restore the offender’s relationship to God and the relationship to relationship to God and the relationship to himself. himself. (2 Cor 2:7-8, 11)(2 Cor 2:7-8, 11)


• 2 Corinthians 2:7-82 Corinthians 2:7-8 - so that, on the - so that, on the contrary, contrary, you you ought ought rather to forgive and rather to forgive and comfort comfort himhim, , lest perhaps such a one be lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. 8 swallowed up with too much sorrow. 8 Therefore I urge you to Therefore I urge you to reaffirm reaffirm your your love love to himto him..

• 2 Corinthians 2:112 Corinthians 2:11 - lest - lest Satan should Satan should take advantage of ustake advantage of us; for we are not ; for we are not ignorant of his devices.ignorant of his devices.


• He lets the past go and has confidence in He lets the past go and has confidence in future path of his brother. future path of his brother. (2 Cor 2:3-4; (2 Cor 2:3-4; 2 Thess 3:4; Philemon 1:21)2 Thess 3:4; Philemon 1:21)


• 2 Corinthians 2:3-42 Corinthians 2:3-4 - And I wrote this very - And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, to have joy, having confidence in you allhaving confidence in you all that my joy is that my joy is the joy the joy of you all. 4 For out of of you all. 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that be grieved, but that you might know the you might know the love which I have so abundantly for youlove which I have so abundantly for you..


• 2 Thessalonians 3:42 Thessalonians 3:4 - And - And we have we have confidence in the Lord concerning youconfidence in the Lord concerning you, , both that you do and will do the things we both that you do and will do the things we command you.command you.

• Philemon 1:21Philemon 1:21 - - Having confidence in Having confidence in your obedienceyour obedience, I write to you, knowing , I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.that you will do even more than I say.


• He will find his marriage, his children, his He will find his marriage, his children, his brethren and his friends to be blessed by brethren and his friends to be blessed by his being a “son of encouragement.” his being a “son of encouragement.” (Acts 4:36)(Acts 4:36)


• Acts 4:36Acts 4:36 - And Joses, who was also - And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated translated Son of EncouragementSon of Encouragement), a ), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,Levite of the country of Cyprus,


• His hurts become an opportunity to build a His hurts become an opportunity to build a stronger faith and come even closer to stronger faith and come even closer to God. God. (Job 42:5-6; Ps 51:16-17)(Job 42:5-6; Ps 51:16-17)


• Job 42:5-6Job 42:5-6 - "I have heard of You by the - "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees now my eye sees YouYou. 6 Therefore I abhor . 6 Therefore I abhor myself, myself, And repent And repent in dust and ashes."in dust and ashes."

• Psalm 51:16-17Psalm 51:16-17 - For You do not desire - For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give sacrifice, or else I would give it; it; You do not You do not delight in burnt offering. 17 delight in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of The sacrifices of God God are are a broken spirita broken spirit, , A broken and a A broken and a contrite heartcontrite heart -- These, O God, You will not -- These, O God, You will not despise.despise.


• Which man are you?Which man are you?• Years ago I read a tract called “a better Years ago I read a tract called “a better

world begins with me.”world begins with me.”• Are you ready to let go of your hurts and Are you ready to let go of your hurts and

start trusting God!start trusting God!

the abundant life that comes through forgiveness

Documents

christians life

appealing fruit

abundant life

peace of god rule

elect of god

wonderful burden

wonderful saviour

tender mercies