Forgiveness, Who needs it?

What is forgiveness?

• Webster’s New World Dictionary: To pass over an offense and free the offender from    consequences; to grant pardon without harboring resentment.

• Forgiveness is a decision (action word) NOT an emotion!
• Forgiveness is needed by the offender and the offended
• Lack of forgiveness ties us to the event, the person, the situation, the past
• Forgiveness is not a natural response, we need God’s help

What isn’t forgiveness?

• It is not excusing the harm done.
• It is not giving permission to do it again.

Respect in relationships means holding the person accountable for their talk and actions

Why is forgiveness needed?

• Something wrong has been done
• Forgiveness breaks the hurting cycle: Hurt people hurt people
• Failure to forgive = hard feelings = broken relationships =failure to forgive = hard feelings. The cycle can break with me!
• Forgiveness overcomes resentments – only love is stronger than hate

Who needs forgiveness?

• Forgiveness is a two-way street needed for restoration of a relationship

Can’t choose what hurt comes your way, can choose to forgive

• Willingness to forgive releases you from hard feelings, frees you to live in the present, enables peace of mind – even when the other person doesn’t ask for forgiveness.

Roadblocks to forgiveness

• let bygones be bygones seem like good advice but people harbor resentments
• Time isn’t right – If not now, when?

 Which apology reveals regret for one’s own actions?

I am sorry you were offended

I am sorry I said those words that offended you

You are not responsible for how someone else feels or thinks. You cannot apologize for someone else.

 Which is better, an apology or making amends?   

Apology = words

Amends = actions, changed attitude displayed in behavior toward that person

The best action is to verbalize your apology and then show by your continuing actions the apology was sincere.

Our focus = Hebrews 12:¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our challenge = Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti