FORGIVENESS

This is what Christianity is ALL about. God forgave us ! !

Rom 5:8-9 (NIV)

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US.

9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!

NOW, since God forgave US, we ought to forgive EACH OTHER:

Matt 18:21-35 (NIV)

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"

22 Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23 "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.

25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

26 "The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.'

27 The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

28 "But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.

29 "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'

30 "But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.

31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.

32 "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.

33 Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?'

34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

35 "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

HOW DO I FORGIVE? Pastor, give me some practical ways . . .

Prov 17:9 (NIV)

9 He who COVERS OVER AN OFFENSE promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

1 Pet 4:8 (TLB)

8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for LOVE MAKES UP FOR MANY OF YOUR FAULTS. [(NIV) . . because love COVERS OVER a multitude of sins.]

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OF ALL RELIGIOUS BOOKS, ONLY THE BIBLE teaches that God COMPLETELY FORGIVES SIN:

Ps 51:1-13 (NIV)

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.

5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.

THE BLOOD OF JESUS is what makes God’s forgiveness so complete:

Heb 10:14-19 (NIV)

14 because BY ONE SACRIFICE HE has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:

16 "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."

17 Then he adds: "THEIR SINS AND LAWLESS ACTS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE."

18 And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS,

FINALLY, one last question, Pastor, I am ALREADY a Christian, but I have sinned once again - how do I get forgiveness??

I Jn 1:8-10 (NIV)

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

9 If we CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST AND WILL FORGIVE us our sins and PURIFY us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.