WALKING THE PLANK OF FORGIVENESS

Mark 11:25

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone… forgive him so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins.

Colossians 3:12-13 NIV

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

I. BECAUSE UN-FORGIVENESS HURTS ME, NOT THE PERSON WHO HURT ME

Hebrews 12:15

See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and to defile many.

1 Corinthian 13:5

Love keeps no records of wrong…

Luke 17:3-4

3  So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.  4  Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

II. BECAUSE ONE DAY… I WILL NEED FORGIVENESS

Matthew 6:14-15

Jesus says very directly: For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Verse 15: But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will...

Matthew 18:32-34 NIV

32  “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.  33  Shouldn’t you ave had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’  34  In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

Matthew 5:24-26 NIV

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister, will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 6:12-14 (AMP)

12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against our debtors. 13 And lead (bring) us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. 14 For if you forgive people their trespasses [their [c]reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

John 20:22-23 (AMP)

22 And having said this, He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit! 23 [Now having received the Holy Spirit and being led and directed by Him] if you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of anyone, they are retained.

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

32  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Romans 12:14 (AMP)

14 Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you bless and do not curse them.

Proverbs 17:9

says that he who covers an offense seeks love.

III. THE RIGHT ACTIONS WILL OFTEN TIMES TRIGGER THE RIGHT OUTCOMES

Colossians 3:12-16 NIV

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

IV. YOUR PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO HURT YOU MAY OR MAY NOT CHANGE

THEM, BUT IT ALWAYS CHANGES YOU.

Matthew 5:44  

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  45  that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.