THE STORIES OF JESUS

STORIES OF FORGIVNESS

Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two

people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them

both, canceling their debts.

Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” Simon

answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger

debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said. Then he turned to the woman

and said to Simon,

“Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash

the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy

of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet

with rare perfume.

“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love.

But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”

(Luke 7:41-47 – New Living Translation)

“The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square

accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant

was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred

thousand dollars.

He couldn’t pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his

wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market. “The poor

wretch threw himself at the king’s feet and begged,

‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the

debt. “The servant was no sooner out of the room when he

came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him

ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, ‘Pay up. Now!’ “The poor wretch threw

himself down and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ But he wouldn’t do it.

He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw

this going on, they were outraged and brought a

detailed report to the king.

“The king summoned the man and said, ‘You evil servant! I

forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy.

Shouldn’t you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant

who asked for mercy?’

The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that’s

exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to

each one of you who doesn’t forgive unconditionally anyone

who asks for mercy.” (Matthew 18:23-34 – The Message)

Forgiveness Principal 1: Everybody needs

forgiveness

If you, GOD, kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand

a chance? As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit . . .

(Psalm 130:4 – The Message)

Forgiveness Principal 2: Nobody deserves

forgiveness

God our Savior showed us how good and kind he is. He saved

us because of his mercy, and not because of any good

things that we have done. (Titus 3:4-5 – Contemporary English Version)

Forgiveness Principal 3: God forgives us

in spite of our sins

Yet the proof of God’s amazing love is this: that it was while we were sinners that Christ

died for us. (Romans 5:8 – Phillips Translation)

Forgiveness Principal 4: We should forgive others

in spite of their sins

Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly

as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 – The Message)

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who

offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you,

so you must forgive others. (Colossians 3:13 – New Living Translation)

Forgiveness Principal 5: Our forgiveness of others (or lack of it) has a huge

impact on our lives

“For if you forgive other people their failures, your Heavenly

Father will also forgive you. But if you will not forgive other people, neither will your Heavenly Father

forgive you your failures.” (Matthew 6:14-15 – Phillips

Translation)

Who is your “shoeless monster”?

C U R E

Compassion U R E

Compassion Understanding R E

Compassion Understanding Release E

Compassion Understanding Release Emancipation

Compassion                                          Understanding                                                            Release                                                                Emancipa0on  

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