We all get hurt and offended throughout our lives. But we have a choice: to hold on to the offense or choose to forgive. Forgiveness doesn’t erase the hurt that was caused; it’s a choice to break free from its grip and not let it run your life!
Notes 📓✏️:
Life is all about relationships with people and they will require a lot of work.
Family
Friendships
Romance
Workplace
Community
Mentor/Mentee
Because people are complicated, relationships will experience complicated moments.
Forgiveness is one of the most courageous acts a person can choose.
Luke 6:27-28: “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.”
Forgiveness is the act of releasing someone from the debt of their offense, not because they deserve it, but because you have been forgiven by God.
Matthew 6:12: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
Forgiveness does not condone their actions.
Forgiveness does not require reconciliation.
Emotions can make forgiveness challenging because of the message they communicate.
Anger – “I will get you back”
Hurt – “How could you do this to me”
Betrayal – “I can’t trust you anymore”
Bitterness – “I won’t ever let this go”
Fear – “You won’t hurt me again”
Pride – “I can’t let them know that they hurt me”
Shame – “I deserve this”
Colossians 3:13: “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” – C.S. Lewis
Forgiveness will require a willingness to surrender that God can take care of my hurt better than I can.
Decide which type of person you are going to be.
Discussion Questions 📝❓:
- What does it mean that forgiveness is more about you than the person who wronged you?
- In Luke 6:27-28, Jesus instructs us to love our enemies and pray for those who hurt us. What are some practical ways we can show love to someone we have conflict with?
- What does it mean to make allowances for each other’s faults, as mentioned in Colossians 3:13?
- Pastor Kyle highlights the idea that forgiveness doesn’t necessarily mean reconciliation. What do you think is the difference between the two, and why is it important?