“An Unnatural Act”

1. Forgiveness is an unnatural act!
2. Forgiveness is undeserved and unjust
3. Refusal to forgive creates a cycle of un-forgiveness.

1. We have been commanded to

   (Colossians 3:13)

   Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

   (Matthew 6:9–13)

   ⁹“This, then, is how you should pray:
   ‘Our Father in heaven,
   hallowed be your name,
   ¹⁰your kingdom come,
   your will be done
   on earth as it is in heaven.
   ¹¹Give us today our daily bread.
   ¹²Forgive us our debts,
   as we also have forgiven our debtors.
   ¹³And lead us not into temptation,
   but deliver us from the evil one.’”

2. It brings peace

   (Hebrews 12:14–15)

   Warning Against Refusing God

   ¹⁴Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

   1. Give forgiveness, receive peace
   2. Receive forgiveness, get peace
   3. Forgiveness is libertating
3. Refusal to forgive leads to bitterness
4. There is a cycle of blessing

   (Luke 6:37)

   Judging Others

   “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

   1. Blessing are positional; the position is obedience.
5. God forgives.

1. Do Not Judge
2. Do Not Condemn
   1. In the essentials — unity
   2. In the non-essentials — liberty
   3. In everything — love
3. Forgive
   1. Forgiveness is a choice not a feeling

(Luke 6:38)

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

1. We receive it back in abundance.

1. The choice is ours!