FORGIVING THE UNFORGIVEABLE

INTRODUCTION: As a believer in Christ, one of the most important things we need to learn is how to forgive others.

1) The Bible clearly tells us we must forgive.
2) Forgiving others helps us to understand and receive the forgiveness extended to us.
3) Important steps on how to forgive others.

I. THE BIBLE CLEARLY TELLS US THAT WE MUST FORGIVE OTHERS

(Mark 11:25 NKJV) "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses."

A. Jesus states quite clearly in this scripture that if you have anything against anyone, you must forgive that person.

1. This is not an optional action on our part, but rather it is imperative to our own well being that we forgive others.

a. Most Christians understand that this is not always an easy task.

b. For some, there have been people in their lives which have wronged them severly.

2. Though it may be a process, and it may not happen instantaneously, we must be willing to take the first steps toward forgiving others.

3. As long as we continue to harbor bitterness in our hearts toward someone else, we allow that individual to have a controlling factor in our lives.

a. There are a number of occasions where unforgiving Christians lose their relationship with God because of what someone else had done to them in the church.

b. There was once a man who lost his relationship not only with God, but also his children and people in the church because of his bitterness toward others. He basically went around feeling sorry for himself all the time.

B. To forgive means to "send away". In other words, to not hang on to the wrong doing.

1. When you forgive someone, it means that you are not holding that sin against that person.

a. Therefore, you're not focused on how you can get back at that person.

b. You're not praying that their boat will sink or that their plane will crash.

c. As a matter of fact, you actually begin to pray for their salvation and deliverance.

2. Understand that when you forgive someone, it doesn't mean that you have to re-establish a relationship with that person.

a. It may, by God's will, lead to that and that's great if that's what God desires.

b. In the verse, there's no mention that you should stop praying and go find that person to let them know that you forgive them.

c. Release the thought of anger and bitterness and hurt unto God.

3. Forgiveness does not mean, by the way, to forget.

a. Trying to forget is merely an attempt to hide something.

b. When you hide something, someone will eventually find it.

c. We're are to deal with he hurt and send it away.

C. Jesus didn't just preach this. He lived this.

(Luke 23:33-34 NKJV) And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.

II. FORGIVING OTHERS HELPS US TO UNDERSTAND AND RECEIVE FORGIVENESS

(Mat 6:14-15 NKJV) "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

A. It seems as if God's ability to forgive us is contingent upon our ability to forgive others. That's not exactly what this scripture is saying.

1. Understand that the scripture is quite clear from 1 John 1:9.

(1 John 1:9 NKJV) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

a. There are no contingencies listed here.

b. We merely see that confession of sin brings about forgiveness which leads to cleansing.

2. Secondly, once we have experienced the forgiveness of God, there's an expectation that we will in turn forgive others.

(Mat 18:21-22 NKJV) Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."

3. Thirdly, God is not looking at our ability to forgive, but rather our willingness to forgive.

a. God will meet us at that point of willingness.

b. When we will to do something, we're not always able to perform it.

c. However, when God wills to do something, He is always able to perform it.

B. The reason for bringing this up is that some people are allowing the devil to beat them up and make them think they're not forgiven because of not being able to completely forgive someone.

1. The devil's saying, "You're not forgiven because you're still mad at so and so."

2. "Yes, I am mad, but as the Spirit leads I am dealing with it in obedience to God's Word."

3. Usually the enemy is bringing up those old hurts anyway.

III. HOW TO FORGIVE THOSE WHO HAVE SINNED AGAINST US

A. Meditate daily on what Christ went through in order to forgive you.

(Heb 12:3-4 NKJV) For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

B. Examine your heart daily with all honesty to determine whether or not you have contention in your heart toward someone.

C. Forgive quickly.

D. Verbalize your forgiveness to God in prayer.

E. Focus on resolutions, refusing to fight with any person in your mind and heart.

CONCLUSION:

1) The Bible clearly tells us we must forgive.
2) Forgiving others helps us to understand and receive the forgiveness extended to us.
3) Important steps on how to forgive others.