Forgive Others Because You Need Forgiveness, Too

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Building My Life on Values That Last

Forgive Others Because You Need Forgiveness, Too By Rick Warren — Dec 10, 2015 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”(Matthew 6:14-15 NIV) Forgiveness is a two-way street. You can’t expect others to forgive you if you are unwilling to forgive them. Jesus says it like this: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins”(Matthew 6:14-15 NIV). It’s a basic biblical truth. You reap what you sow. One time, a man came to John Wesley and said, “I could never forgive that person.” Wesley said, “Then I hope you never sin. When you are unforgiving, you’re burning the very bridge you need to walk across.” When you’re not forgiving of others, you’re setting yourself up to not be forgiven yourself. Because God says you’re going to need forgiveness in the future. When I hear somebody say that they can’t forgive someone, I realize that person doesn’t understand forgiveness. If you understood forgiveness, you probably would be more able to do it. Many myths get in the way of our readiness to forgive. For example, here are three of the biggest misconceptions about forgiveness. Forgiveness is not: Minimizing the seriousness of the offense. Forgiveness is a big deal. To forgive someone doesn’t mean the wrong against you doesn’t hurt. The instant restoration of trust. Trust must be rebuilt over a period of time. If people hurt you over and over again, the Bible says you’re obligated to forgive them, but you are not obligated to instantly trust them. Resuming the relationship without any changes. Forgiveness is not the same as a reunion of a relationship. Forgiveness is what you do if you’re offended. If the relationship is going to be restored, the offender has to do three things: repent, offer restitution where possible, and rebuild trust over a period of time. It’s time to forgive those who have hurt you. You’ll need the forgiveness of others later. Don’t withhold what you’ll depend upon soon. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over Pastor Rick says there are three things that forgiveness is not. Which one do you struggle with believing? How does understanding you’ll need to be forgiven at another time make it easier to forgive others? Who do you need to express your forgiveness to today? Today’s Scripture “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isaiah 40:29, NIV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS He Gives Strength Have you ever felt backed into a corner about a particular situation and couldn’t see a way out? We’ve all felt overwhelmed by the circumstances of life at one time or another. Be encouraged today because the Bible says in Isaiah that when you cry out to God for help, as soon as He hears, He will answer you! He will give you strength when you are weary and increase your power when you feel weak. No matter what is going on in your life today, God is greater than any obstacle or difficulty you may be facing. Do you need strength today to overcome a challenge in your life? Do you need power to stand strong in the midst of a storm? Call on Him and He will hear you. The answer is on the way while the words are still on your lips! A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for hearing and answering my prayers. Fill me with Your strength and power today. I give You my whole heart. Remove anything from my life that isn’t pleasing to You in Jesus’ name. Amen.”