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Frozen In Unforgiveness

Defrosting Communication, part 3 of 7
One of the most common struggles people have is forgiveness. People struggle to extend forgiveness, with how to forgive, and even with the basic understanding of what forgiveness is and isn’t. What are the answers to the tough questions about forgiveness? In this message, we will look at six of the most prominent questions people ask about forgiveness and find biblical answers that will satisfy the person who wrestles with who, what, where, when why and how to forgive.

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The 6 Big Questions About Forgiveness

I) FORGIVE WHO? __THE OFFENDING PERSON__.

“When they came to the place called’The Skull,’ they nailed Jesus to a cross there, and the two criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, ‘Forgive them, Father! They don’t know what they are doing.’”
(Luke 23:33-34a, TEV)

* Forgiving a person does not mean ___APPROVING OF THEM___.

II) FORGIVE WHAT? __THE NEED FOR REVENGE__.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the just and unjust, and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?”
(Matthew 5:43-46a, NIV)

“…[Love] does not hold grudges…”
(1 Corinthians 13:5d, LB)

* Don’t “forgive and forget”, but “forgive and RELEASE”.

III) FORGIVE WHERE? __AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY__.

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court.Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.”
(Matthew 5:25, NIV)

* Unforgiveness always puts you, not the perpetrator, in ___PRISON___.

IV) FORGIVE WHEN? __ALWAYS, ALL THE TIME__.

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times can my brother sin against me and I have to forgive him? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ answered Jesus, ‘but seventy times seven.’”
(Matthew 18:21-22, TEV)

“…forgive your brother from your heart.”
(Matthew 18:35b, NIV)

* True forgiveness isn’t conditional but _UNCONDITIONAL_.

V) FORGIVE WHY? __BECAUSE GOD FORGIVES__.

“This woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet..Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who loves little has been forgiven little.”
(Luke 7:45b, 47, NIV)

* Your forgiveness of others reveals your __APPRECIATION OF GOD__.

VI) FORGIVE HOW? ___IN GOD’S STRENGTH___.

“Get rid of all bitterness…Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
(Ephesians 4:31-32, NIV)

* True forgiveness is only possible when we find it in ___CHRIST___.

“You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to You.”
(Psalm 86:5, NIV)