HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 137
page A135
• PH I L E MO N 1 :1 5 -1 6 | It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have
him back forever. He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a
beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man
and as a brother in the Lord.
Forgiveness can lead to reconciliation in relationships.
• 1 PE T E R 3 :9 | Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you.
Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will
grant you his blessing.
When people say hurtful things about you, God wants you to respond by blessing them.
How can I forgive someone who has hurt me deeply? What happens when
I forgive?
• MAT T H E W 6 :1 4 -1 5 | “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will
forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
• MA R K 1 1 :2 5 | “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge
against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”
Being unwilling to forgive shows that you have not understood or benefited from God’s
forgiveness.
Forgiveness means praying for those who hate and hurt you. This releases you from the
destructive emotions of anger, bitterness, and revenge.
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• MAT T H E W 5 :4 4 | “Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”
God’s forgiveness is the motivation and the model for your forgiveness of others. If God
has forgiven you, how can you refuse to forgive someone who has wronged you? And your
forgiveness, like God’s, is a gift of grace, free to the recipient yet costly to the giver.
• R O MA NS 1 2 :1 9 | Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God.
For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.
Punishing evildoers is God’s job, not yours, and God can be trusted to administer justice.
Therefore, you can remove yourself from the endless cycle of revenge and retaliation by
forgiving.
• E PH E SI A NS 4 :3 1 | Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well
as all types of evil behavior.
An unforgiving attitude not only ruins your relationships, but it also poisons your soul. The
person most hurt by unforgiveness is you.
Can forgiveness stop sin’s consequences?
• 2 SA MU E L 1 2 :1 3 -1 4 | Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”
Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you. . . . Nevertheless . . . your child will
die.” (See note on page 282.)
The consequences of sin are often irreversible. When God forgives us, he rarely eliminates
the consequences of our wrongdoing. These consequences should be a powerful reminder
for us when we face temptation again.
• 1 C H R O NI C L E S 2 1 :1 1 -1 3 | “These are the choices the Lord has given you. . . . Decide what
answer I should give the Lord who sent me.” “I’m in a desperate situation!” David replied.
(See note on page 374.)
Considering the consequences before we sin can be enough incentive to help us avoid the
sin altogether.
Is there a limit to the number of times we should forgive a person?
• L U K E 1 7 :4 | “Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again
and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.” (See note on page 941.)
Does love have a limit? Neither does forgiveness!
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• E PH E SI A NS 4 :3 2 | Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
just as God through Christ has forgiven you.