Why is Forgiveness So Important?

 Why is Forgiveness so Important?

What does Jesus say?

 1.   Unforgiveness blocks God’s forgiveness from us!

              Mt 6: 12-15   And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 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.

            Mk 11: 25   And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

 2.  It affects our worship.

            Mt 5:23-24  “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,  leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

 3. Our relationship with others is one way we are judged by God.

           Mt. 18:32-35  “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger, his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.  “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

4. Our relationships with others should be that of forgiveness not judgment. God will deal with us as we deal with others.

      Lk. 6:37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

              

 *Problems in our lives that stem directly from a lack of forgiveness:

 1.   Stress (holding inside bitterness and anger)

2.   Self-inflicted re-injury (re-experiencing pain by reliving the event)

3.   No more love (withdrawing and failing to love others)

4.   Bitterness (affecting one’s disposition)

5.   Perpetual conflict (anticipating more hurt; staying on the defensive)

6.   Walls that keep others out (become anxious and threatened when personal intimacy becomes possible)

 

*Indicators that reveal we may have unforgiveness in our hearts toward someone:

1.   being harsh toward others

2.   being demanding

3.   being resentful

4.   finding fault easily

5.   holding grudges

6.   negative feelings about the person when they are around

7.   avoiding the person

 Indicators that reveal we may not have forgiven ourselves for something.

1.   being self-critical

2.   being guilt-ridden

3.   being driven by “ought to’s”

4.   overcompensating for our own mistakes

5.   pride and arrogance as a way to prove our self-worth

6.   irrational fears and phobias

7.   keeping secrets

8.   building walls around ourselves

9.   pushing ourselves hard

10. overly critical of others

 Indicators that reveal we may have unforgiveness toward God:

1.   withdrawing from religious activities such as church attendance, Bible study and prayer.

2.   anger at church people, especially leaders

3.   refusal to talk about religious things

4.   deliberately doing things contrary to God’s laws or commands

5.   attempting to influence others not to be committed to God

6.   sharing doubts about God with others

7.   depression and purposelessness