Christian Forgiveness

"How Can I Forgive When It Hurts So Much"

I. What Does Forgiveness Mean?

• All debts are cleared out
• Let prisoner of guilt free
• Grant full pardon

II. Why Should We Forgive?

• Christian is forgiven
• guilt/innocence transferred with Jesus
  • 2 Corinthians 5:21 , Galatians 3:13
• Love-based (Luke 7:47)

III. Miscellaneous Thoughts

• Is forgiveness conditional?
• Is there a time limit to forgive?
• Are we bent towards revenge or forgiveness?
• What is difference between repentance and
  apology?

IV. The Bible and Forgiveness

• Ephesians 4:32 -- Christ-likeness
• Colossians 3:13 -- forgiven should forgive
• John 20:23 -- forgiving attitude
• Luke 6:36-37 -- godliness
• Matthew 6:12-15 -- forgiveness is reciprocal
• Matthew 18:21-22 -- never-ending

V. Confession

• The forgiven should repent
• Confess to God
• Be at peace with all men (make right any
  wrong-doing)
• Repeat offenders?
• Don't bring to rememberance
• Self-forgivenesss? Denies God's forgiveness

CONCLUSION: Christians should be forgiving people even when it is not deserved - we didn't deserve it.