Forgiveness
If You don’t forgive others God won’t forgive you. Matthew 6:15. Does this
mean if you don’t forgive you aren’t saved? If you are saved and someone does
you wrong would you instantly forgive them? Or is it something that takes time?
David Goodwin
October 15th, 2007 at 8:35 am
I’m not sure my comments/notes came thru so will send again, Harold Cross
Notes from: From Forgiven to Forgiving Jay E Adams
This book is about: forgiven persons (God’s children), becoming forgiving persons.
It is about the problem of believers forgiving one another. Forgiveness is the oil that keeps the machinery of the Christian home and church running smoothly.. (7)
Apologizing is not only unscriptural, it is the world’s unsatisfactory substitute for forgiveness. (10).
A study of God’s forgiveness – e.g. Isa. 43:25; Jer 31:34¨ When God forgives, He goes on record, He says so, He declares, “I will not remember your sins”. It is not an emotional experience (11).
To “not remember” is simply a graphic way of saying, “I will not bring up these matters to you or others in the future. I will bury them and not exhume the bones to beat you over the head with them. I will never use these sins against you”. (12)
We are obligated to go to our brother/sister about “our stepped on toes” (18)
and to give our brother/sister an opportunity to explain any misunderstanding.
How often to forgive? As often as person repents, regardless of “fruit”/ (20/21)
Threefold promise of forgiveness – (25).
Readiness to forgive – regarding Mark 11:25. (30).
God is not interested in forgiveness as an end in itself, or as a therapeutic technique that benefits the one doing the forgiving. He wants reconciliation to take place, and that can only be brought about by repentance. (33)
Every Offense, any offense? Some covered by love (34). No arbitrary list.
Our Father is merciful, contrasted with Islam – which has 99 names for God, none of them is Father or implies compassion and mercy (43).
Unless we are forgiving, our Heavenly Father will treat us ill—(44), Lord’s prayer.
When? Soon/promptly (48). E.g. gift at the altar (49) Let not the sun go down—
Forgiving is the only way to forget (58).
In apologizing, no commitment is made, the matter is not resolved, and the one who was wronged is required to put the matter to rest. It is always awkward to respond to an apology, because you are not asked to do anything, yet some sort of response is expected (59)
Not the/a problem of self-forgiveness that many speak of (63), Something needs to be done – there needs to be repentance, confession, forgiveness. (64).
Keeping the promise – keeping mind/thoughts clear, clean e.g. wandering: use Php 4:8- make list of 1-20 areas, items, that are mind-engaging topics. You need to give some thought to. Use this any/every time your mind begins to wander. (88). Do not allow long periods of idle time with nothing to do.
Repentance - Godly sorrow (2 Cor 7:10). Indicates a mental about-face or alteration of thought which leads to a change of life. – such that one then begins to sees his/her sins for what they really are (97).
Forgiveness at work — when you ask for forgiveness, be very sure that it is out of repentance over sin. (108)
Dangerous shortcuts, ploys and evasions; minimizing, “understanding”, being ‘submissive’,
Forgiveness cannot be recalled (141). The Lord’s Prayer calls this the removal of a debt. (141) Great power in forgiveness, and it is required of believers (Luke 17:3) (142).
”I forgive you” – but must be handled with great care (143).
Also see: Peacemaker ministries – online.
Filename: Forgiven.forgiveness.07