· The Lord has not given us the option of vengeance, reserving that for Himself (Romans 12:19).
· Being omniscient, God knows who to punish and when to mete out that punishment.
. Having finite knowledge, we do not know how and when to do this.
· The Lord's character includes forgiveness (Exodus 34:6-7; Numbers 14:18-19; Psalms 86:5; 130:4).
A. . “pardon, cancellation of an obligation, a punishment, or guilt; forgiveness of sins.”
B. “to cancel, remit, pardon, forgive.”
C. “remit, forgive, pardon.” (Possibly forgive graciously as a favor, not as a debt. This word stems from the Greek word for grace).
II. A Prerequisite of Forgiveness.
A. Telling the offender he/she has offended.
1) God does so (2 Chronicles 7:13; Jeremiah 36:3). We must do so with those who have offended or wronged us (Matthew 18:15-17).
2) We can never practice forgiveness when the offender does not know he/she has done something wrong. Be willing to tell someone who has wronged you that you are angry or hurt because of their wrong-doing, being very careful to control your anger (Ephesians 4:26). This will provide opportunity for forgiveness.
III. Characteristics of Forgiveness.
A. The Willingness to Forgive Must be Unconditional(Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60).
B. Forgiveness Has a Price. The one who forgives always pays the price (Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:22).
1) God decided to pay the price of forgiveness before the ones forgiven ever chose to accept (Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 1:18-20; Revelation 13:8).
a. God is our example of forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13).
(1) God is merciful (Daniel 9:18-19).
(a) We will never achieve restored harmony through forgiveness if others perceive us as unmerciful people.
(2) God is kind and compassionate (Ephesians 4:32).
C. The Goal of Forgiveness is Reconciliation.
Reconciliation necessarily involves both parties in a relationship.
1) Real Forgiveness is Conditional.
God places conditions upon His forgiveness. It is not a one-way sacrifice in which God and man are reconciled through the actions of one party. Forgiveness is a two-way reconciliation.
a. The conditions God places on real forgiveness:
(1) Humility and Seeking the Offended Party's Grace (2 Chronicles 7:13-14).
(a) If we make no effort to seek the forgiveness of the one we have wronged, we impossibly frustrate real forgiveness.
(2) Confession (Psalms 32:1-5; 1 John 1:9).
(a) If we do not willingly and freely acknowledge our guilt in the breached relationship, we hinder real forgiveness.
(3) Faith (Matthew 9:2; Mark 2:5; Luke 5:20; Acts 10:43).
(a) If we do not believe forgiveness and reconciliation are possible we will never seek them, or work for them.
(4) Repentance (Luke 17:3; Acts 8:22).
(a) If we do not change the thoughts of our minds which are the foundation of our offensive behavior, we cannot achieve real forgiveness.
(5) Baptism and Conversion (Acts 2:38; 3:19; Mark 4:12; Acts 26:17-18).
(a) If we do not make authentic changes in our behavior, especially that which caused the problems we are experiencing, we frustrate real forgiveness.
(6) Equivalent forgiveness (Matthew 6:12, 14-15; 18:23-35; Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4).
D. Forgiveness is Limitless (Matthew 18:21-22; Luke 17:4).
E. We Must Not Determine Willingness to Forgive By the Past (Colossians 2:13).
F. A Forgiving Person is Forgetful.
1) We must understand forgetfulness in the context of judgment against the offender because of the forgiven offense. We must treat the offender as if he/she has never sinned against us.
a. Consider God's omniscience vs. His promise to forget our iniquities (Jeremiah 31:33-34; Matthew 18:34-35).
We Cannot Be More, or Less, Forgiving Than God. We must use His example in our relationships with others.
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