FORGIVENESS The Litmus Test for Christians

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FORGIVENESS The Litmus Test for Christians
Matthew 18 21-35
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1. To forgive and to ask for forgiveness should
be a normative Christian lifestyle
2. Forgiving others does not mean the wrongdoing
does not matter.
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Matthew 612 Forgive us our debts as we also
have forgiven our debtors.
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Luke 6 36-37 Be merciful, just as your Father is
merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be
judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be
condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
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Ephesians 431-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage
and anger, brawling and slander, along with every
form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one
another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ
God forgave you.
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Colossians 312-13 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 whatever grievances you may have
against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave
you.
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3. Christian forgiveness is modelled after Gods
forgiveness
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• Consider the magnitude of Gods forgiveness of
  our sins towards Him whenever we struggle
  forgiving others
• How we forgive others reflects on how Gods
  forgiveness has affected our lives

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Forgiveness is often unconditional but sometimes
conditional on repentance.

• There are times when forgiveness should be
  unconditional and unilateral, and there are other
  times when forgiveness must be withheld until the
  offender repents
• John MacArthur
• (pg 119, The Freedom and Power of Forgiveness)

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4. The need to forgive others and to ask for
forgiveness is often undervalued among Christians
4.1 We value service and sacrifice over
restoring relationships
4.2 We are unaware of the damage unforgiveness
does to the bitterness, blame and bondage.
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5. Forgiveness is a process of healing
Your relationship with others
Your relationship with your conscience

• Your relationship with God

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Forgiveness is freedom