How to Forgive Others
GOD gives us reminders of how to love like HE loves. Forgiving others teaches us about ourselves as well as about our GOD. Each time, as we come to HIS alter of prayer HE asks us first to review if there is anyone that we need to forgive
What should be our attitude in prayer?
"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any; that your Father also which is in heaven, may forgive you your trespasses." Mark 11:25.
Will God pardon the unforgiving?
"But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses." Mark 11:26.
How should we ask for pardon?
"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Matt. 6:12.
Just how many times should we forgive?
"Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times, but, Until seventy times seven." Matt. 18:21, 22.
Can you imagine keeping score? ... something like this..."Ah ha! now you have sinned against me 490 times, so I don't have to forgive you the next time. You better watch out because I am gonna let you have it the next time."
O course, GOD is actually showing us how foolish that would be,
Does Jesus have any parables to teach us about forgiveness?
"Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshiped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him a hundred pence; and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not; but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done." Matt. 18:23-31.
How should we deal with those that sin? What if the sin is against us? What feeling should actuate us?
"Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?" Matt. 18:33.
What if we do not really feel like forgiving someone? What if we feel something like this... "I know I should forgive, but I don't feel like it, oh well I will say I forgive anyway, but I really cannot bring myself to really forgive".
"So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses." Matt. 18:35.
How should we bestow mercy?
"Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness." Rom. 12:8.
What should we do when a sin is confessed?
"So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow." 2 Cor. 2:7.
When we work to restoe one overtaken in a fault, what grace should we exemplify?
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Gal. 6:1.
Whose example are we to follow in forgiving?
"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you so also do ye." Col. 3:13.
Did GOD forbid "keeping score" or grudging in the early days?
"Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord." Lev. 19:18.
What says the New Testament about this?
Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned; behold, the Judge standeth before the door." James 5:9.
Does one forgive who holds a grudge?
Some when pretending to forgive, say: "I can forgive, but I cannot forget." Such "hold a grudge."
What specific petition in the Lord's prayer, is the only one to which the Master adds a comment?
"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matt. 6: 12, 14, 15.
What should be our attitude in prayer?
"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any; that your Father also which is in heaven, may forgive you your trespasses." Mark 11:25.
Will God pardon the unforgiving?
"But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses." Mark 11:26.
How should we ask for pardon?
"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Matt. 6:12.
Just how many times should we forgive?
"Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times, but, Until seventy times seven." Matt. 18:21, 22.
Can you imagine keeping score? ... something like this..."Ah ha! now you have sinned against me 490 times, so I don't have to forgive you the next time. You better watch out because I am gonna let you have it the next time."
O course, GOD is actually showing us how foolish that would be,
Does Jesus have any parables to teach us about forgiveness?
"Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshiped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him a hundred pence; and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not; but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done." Matt. 18:23-31.
How should we deal with those that sin? What if the sin is against us? What feeling should actuate us?
"Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?" Matt. 18:33.
What if we do not really feel like forgiving someone? What if we feel something like this... "I know I should forgive, but I don't feel like it, oh well I will say I forgive anyway, but I really cannot bring myself to really forgive".
"So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses." Matt. 18:35.
How should we bestow mercy?
"Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness." Rom. 12:8.
What should we do when a sin is confessed?
"So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow." 2 Cor. 2:7.
When we work to restoe one overtaken in a fault, what grace should we exemplify?
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Gal. 6:1.
Whose example are we to follow in forgiving?
"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you so also do ye." Col. 3:13.
Did GOD forbid "keeping score" or grudging in the early days?
"Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord." Lev. 19:18.
What says the New Testament about this?
Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned; behold, the Judge standeth before the door." James 5:9.
Does one forgive who holds a grudge?
Some when pretending to forgive, say: "I can forgive, but I cannot forget." Such "hold a grudge."
What specific petition in the Lord's prayer, is the only one to which the Master adds a comment?
"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matt. 6: 12, 14, 15.
posted by Michael A. Redwine at Tuesday, November 22, 2005
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