A FORGIVING HEART BY JEANNE THERIAULT
Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you , your heavenly Father will also forgive you 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins your Father will not forgive your sins.
Peter asked the Lord How many times shall I forgive?
Matthew 18:22 Jesus answered I tell you not seven times, but seventy seven times.
Proverbs 17:9 He who covers over an offense promotes love.
PRAYING
Mark 17:25 And when you stand praying if you hold anything against anyone forgive him so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
Even Jesus when being crucified said Luke 23:34 Forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.
The people accused Stephen and stoned him to the point of death
Acts 7:60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out to the Lord do not hold this sin against them.
Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, and yet Jesus forgave him
Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another . Forgive as the Lord forgave you 14 And over all these virtues put on love which binds them altogether in perfect unity .
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive us or sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another forgiving each other just as Christ God forgave you .
When ask forgivenss, God forgets all of our sins
Isaiah 43:25 I even I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake and remember your sins no more .
Jeremiah 31:34 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.
Isaiah 44:22 I have swept away your offenses like a cloud your sins like the morning mist. Return to me for I have redeemed you.
Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
HOW TO FORGIVE
Luke 17:3 So watch yourselves if your brother sins ,rebuke him and if he repents forgive him. 4 If he sins against you seven times in a day and seven times comes back to you and says I repent forgive him.
Matthew 5:44 But I tell you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
CHRIST CHARACTER IS
Holy, Righteous, faithful, meek, merciful, compassionate, loving, humble and forgiving.
Jesus will give you the desires of your heart
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desire of your heart.
As we are obedient to his word and walk in his will he will honor you with his blessings.
Though we will be tested and tried but in James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trails of many kinds 3 Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
When you place yourself in forgiving you are doing yourself a favor cause its not really about them but about you . Keep your heart pure and don’t hold on to bitterness, resentments, or anger in your heart.
Matthew 4:23 Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God
Proverbs 4:23 Above all else guard your heart for it is the well’s spring of life.
Pure means being in his presence that is when we can hear from him. Start praying for your enemies , forgive them and bless them, stop thinking and talking about it. The quicker you drop and let it go the easier its going be. Don’t let it be rooted in you. You will not be able to get in the presence of God, because in his presence there is fullness of joy and his right hand there is pleasure for ever more.
Psalm 15:1-3 Lord who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your Holy hill? 2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart 3 And who has no slander on his tongue who does his neighbor wrong and cast’s no slur on his fellowman.
So you know that the enemy will make sure that you keep the offenses on your mind cause he surely does not want you to come into God’s presence. Offenses will rob you of moving and being blessed by God . Things have to be right between us and God and that will require you to forgive all.
Psalm 133:1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.
Hebrews 12;15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no better root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
Forgiveness is a decision we need to make it is not on how we feel about it. Unforgiveness will hinder your prayers.
You may seek someone to agree with you so that you may feel justified but deep down you know that is wrong cause God sees and know your heart.
Ephesians 4:26-27 In your anger do not sin . Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry and do not give the devil a foothold. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, But only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs. That is may benefit those who listen 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were 31 sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling, and slander along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you
Romans 4:8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.
2 Corinthians 2:10 If you forgive anyone , I also forgive him and what I have forgiven if there was anything to forgive I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake 11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Lord you prayed forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, it is my desire to forgive others as you forgave me. Your word says to forgive your brother seventy times seven and more, teach me to walk in forgiveness and reach out to others in love. Amen