FORGIVE AND BE
FORGIVEN
Avoiding or stewing over hurtful issues that happened to you or hurtful statements said to you does not make them
go away. What are you going to do, forgive or not forgive? What are you doing to others, to your family, and ultimately
to yourself, by choosing not to forgive? Why is it important to choose the path of forgiving others?
Forgiveness began with God. Scripture never covers or glosses over sin and its destructiveness. A debt had to be paid
for sin, and death was the only accepted payment (Genesis 2:16; Romans 6:23). It was God Himself who provided the
ultimate sacrifice. He sent His own Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for all our sins. Christ conquered both spiritual
and physical death for us through His own death, burial, and Resurrection. His blood cleanses us from all sin. He freely
provided His righteousness so that God can forgive people who confess their sins before Him (1 John 1:7–9; Proverbs
2:13–14). In Matthew 6:12 when Christ told us to pray for forgiveness of our debts as we forgive our own debtors, He
knew He was the one who would pay that debt. As He breathed His last breath, He stated, “It is finished,” and the debt
was paid in full! Colossians 3:12–14 relates that Christians are to “forgive as the Lord forgave you.” In light of what Christ
did for you, how do you apply this command to your hurtful situation?
Look up the following Scriptures and record your answers to the questions:
1
In the following verses what do you learn about our Sovereign God and the forgiveness He offers to you?
Psalm 103:3–4
Micah 7:18–19
John 3:14–21
John 14:6
Ephesians 2:8–9
2 Corinthians 5:18–19
2
When you confess your sins, what does God do?
Psalm 32:5
Psalm 86:5
3
Who can receive God’s forgiveness?
Proverbs 28:13–14
Acts 3:19
Acts 10:43
1 John 1:9
4
What is the condition for forgiveness noted in Luke 17:3–4? (Note that Christ was not setting a limit on how
often one should forgive. Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:13 note that we are to forgive as God in Christ forgave
us—unendingly.)
5
Read Mark 11:25–26, Matthew 18:21–22, and Luke 17:3–4. If others are not sorry for sinning against you, are you
still required to forgive? Is forgiveness an option or a command?
6
According to Luke 6:35–36, when you show mercy toward others, what are the results?
7
If you do not show mercy to others, what are the consequences?
Matthew 6:14–15
Matthew 18:23–25
James 2:13
8
What happens in your own relationship with God when you choose to walk in love and forgiveness toward
others? (Isaiah 55:6–7; 1 John 4:7–21; Ephesians 5:1–2)
SUMMARIZATION
When you ask God to forgive you, He does so freely. When you choose to forgive, you set yourself and others free from
bondage.
Forgive the hurt/injustice done to you. (Matthew 6:14–15)
Confess your own sins. (1 John 1:9)
Realize that you are not guiltless, that you too have hurt and sinned against others and need to be reconciled with
them. (Matthew 5:23–24)
Actively give love and kindnesses to those you are forgiving. (Romans 12:17–20; Ephesians 5:1–2; 1 Corinthians 13:5;
1 Peter 4:8)
Pray and ask God to bless those you have hurt and believe that Christ will work in their lives too. (Matthew 5:44–48;
Romans 14:4)
Embrace and rejoice in God’s forgiveness of you and your ability to choose to forgive as you have been forgiven!
(Ephesians 4:31–32)
DIGGING DEEPER STUDY
What have these people been forgiven of and what were the results or outcomes?
Genesis 45
Luke 7:36–50
Luke 15:11–32
Luke 18:9–14
Luke 23:39–42
John 4:4–26
1 Corinthians 6:9–11
by Jan Lefever
© MMVIII by author and/or Church Initiative. Reproducible only when used in conjunction with a Church Initiative ministry program.