Forgiveness

Here is a segment from a recent sermon concerning how to address forgiveness:
In his book Victory Over the Darkness, Dr. Neil T. Anderson offers solid, scriptural advice regarding forgiveness:

• Forgiveness does not seek revenge or demand repayment – It is God’s job to sort out injustices; not ours.  Romans 12:19 is crystal clear concerning this.
• Forgiveness means resolving to live with the consequences of another person’s sin – We will have to live with the consequences anyway; whether we choose to forgive or not forgive.
• Forgiveness means acknowledging the hurt and hate – It is not a sin to acknowledge the reality of our emotions.  Not acknowledging is denial.
• Forgiveness means making the volitional choice to forgive – Forgiveness is a crisis of the will, a conscious choice to let the other person off the hook in order to be freed from the past.  If we wait to forgive when we feel like forgiving, that moment will never arrive.
• Forgiveness is potentially a process – That is, we may need to re-forgive at some point in the future as hurtful memories resurface.  However, over the course of time, anger, hatred and bitterness will eventually subside and disappear.
• Forgiveness requires God’s empowerment – Forgiving deep hurts is difficult, if not impossible without God’s help.  Seek him, asking for his strength and power.  He will answer your prayer!

            Ephesians 4:31-32 tells us, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Keep the faith,
Pastor Tony