Love Is Forgiving // The Power Of Love [Part 6 Of 7]

“Love doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do.”  1 Cor. 13:5b (CEV)

I. WHAT FORGIVENESS IS NOT

1. It isn’t conditional. 
2. It isn’t minimizing the seriousness of the offense.
3. It isn’t resuming a relationship without changes.
4. It isn’t forgetting what happened.
5. It isn’t my right when I wasn’t the one who was hurt.

II. WHAT IS GENUINE FORGIVENESS?

1. Relinquishing my right to get even. 

“Never pay back evil for evil…never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for he has said that he will repay those who deserve it…Don’t let evil get the upper hand, but conquer evil by doing good.” Rom 12:17,19,21 (LB)

“Be careful that none of you fails to respond to the grace which God gives, for if he does there can very easily spring up in him a bitter spirit which is not only bad in itself but can also poison the lives of many others.”  Hebrews 12:15 (Ph)

2. Responding to evil with good. 

“…do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.”  Luke 6:27-28

3. Repeat the process as long as necessary. 

“Peter asked, ‘”Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me?  Seven times?’  ‘No.’ Jesus replied, ‘seventy times seven!’” Matt. 18:21-22 (NLT)

THE SECRET OF FORGIVENESS:

Remember how much I’ve been forgiven by God. 

“Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”  Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:32

“Forgive us our debts we forgive everybody else.” Luke 11:4