Receiving and Giving

Bible evidence IIn the Bible forgiveness is given freely by God to humans. We receive it when we come to God with our need.

See Acts 2:37,38, I John 1:9

Bible evidence IIWe in turn are to give forgiveness to

those who wrong us.

See how Jesus (and we) are to forgive—Lk. 23:34 and Matt. 6:14, 15

Definition of Forgiveness1. The Old Testament word for forgive

means to “send away” or “cover”2. 2. The New Testament word means

to “send away”, “loose”, “be gracious to”, “pass over”

3. 3. A good English translation would be to “release” or “let go”

Forgiveness is NOT1. Forgetting. Something can be

released but not forgotten2. Condoning. Terrible deeds are not

condoned but need to be released3. Pardoning. 4. Reconciliation. While we should

seek to be reconciled it is possible to forgive others without being reconciled.

5 Types of forgiveness I1. God’s forgiveness of people2. Forgiveness by others to usNOTE: both 1 and 2 are passive3. Forgiveness by people to God—not that God has sinned but that some people blame Him for his supposed actions

5 Types of Forgiveness II4. Forgiveness to those who have wronged us (more later)

NOTE: Types 3 and 4 are active

5. Forgiveness of our selves. Some have said, “I can never forgive myself.”

Interpreting the Lord’s PrayerWhat do we do with Matt. 6:14, 15 and Lk. 11:2-4

The deep truth here is that we are spiritually and psychologically not able to truly receive from God what we are not willing to give to others.

ConclusionIt is a spiritual and psychological truth that we are slaves to those we refuse to forgive.

Enter the freedom of forgiveness now