There are times when it is difficult to forgive. It can even seem impossible to forgive. Think of a difficult situation you have gone through. Think of someone you may hold a grudge against. What do you do when it hurts to forgive?

1 – Forgiveness is experienced by the Christian

Christians have been forgiven. We have experienced it in our own lives. We need to pass on what God has done for us. We did not deserve it. Grace means “undeserved favour”. No matter what the Devil says, our sins are gone.

2 – Forgiveness is expected by the Christian (vs. 13)

Does the Bible say this? See verse 13. You sins have been forgiven. Someone has hurt you or someone you love. You are to bear with one another. You are to hold yourself back. We are to pursue peace. We naturally want vengeance. There are four ways we are to forgive:-

• To forgive unconditionally. We are not to wait for an apology or put other conditions upon it.
• To forgive immediately. The longer it takes the greater the chance you will get bitter.
• To forgive repeatedly. See Matthew 18:21-22. Peter thought seven times was enough. We might agree. We are to keep on forgiving. If you can forgive seventy times seven then it will become a habit in your life.
• We are to forgive repeatedly. We are to forgive completely. There are to be no strings attached. What is complete forgiveness? See Genesis 45:1ff. Here are keys to complete forgiveness.

1. Don’t gossip about it. (Genesis 45:1).
2. Don’t allow anyone to be intimidated by you. (Genesis 45:4). Don’t make people squirm.
3. Let them forgive themselves and not feel guilty (Genesis 45:5).
4. Let them save face (Genesis 45:7-8).
5. We will protect them (Genesis 45:9-13). As far as we know, Jacob never found out what his sons had done to Joseph. We are not to run around telling what someone has done.
6. It is a lifelong commitment (Genesis 50:15-21). The brothers made up a story as they were afraid that Joseph would take revenge now Jacob was dead. Joseph had forgiven them with a lifelong commitment.

3 – Forgiveness is essential to the Christian

Here are a few reasons why forgiveness is important to the Christian as well.

• The unforgiving spirit shows an indifference to the greatest thing God ever did.
• It interrupts what God is trying to do in the world. We have been reconciled to God and we are to help reconcile the world to God.
• God hates ingratitude. God cannot stand it when his children are not grateful. See Matthew 18:21-35. It puts you in bondage.
• You grieve the Holy Spirit.
• You are left to yourself. God removes his hand from your life and you are left to cope alone with your problems.
• You force God to become your enemy. God does not condone sin in the life of a believer. You are to repent.
• You lose the anointing of God. You can’t do it in the flesh. It will have no impact.
• You get to the point that you can’t forgive. You have become so hard and cold. You will try to forgive but you won’t be able to forgive. All sin is addictive.
• You will lose fellowship with God. You have left home. You need to come home to God. You can have a relationship but without any fellowship.

God knows what is on the inside. It is not impossible to find forgiveness. Here are some steps to find forgiveness:-

1. Stop the Devil. Get rid of the bitterness in your heart. Get rid of the root before it grows up.
2. Send the Devil packing. We are to resist the Devil and he will flee.
3. Stand on the promises of God. God promises vengeance. He is the Judge of all the earth.
4. Send your pride and ego backing. Pride and ego says “How dare you say that to me!”
5. Shout about your own forgiveness! Jesus has forgiven you. You can shout about it! When you do you experience the power of forgiveness.

Categories: Colossians