Breathe Again: Embracing Forgiveness for Freedom and Healing

Unforgiveness is one of the greatest thieves of peace and freedom in our lives. When we hold onto offenses, we find ourselves unable to breathe deeply, weighed down by burdens that God never intended for us to carry. True forgiveness is not about pretending nothing happened or excusing the wrongs done to us; it is about choosing not to let those wrongs define our future. Jesus made it clear that forgiveness is not optional for His followers—it is a command, a non-negotiable part of the Christian life. Our relationship with God is deeply connected to our willingness to release others, just as He has released us from our immeasurable debt.

Forgiveness is not a one-time transaction but a lifestyle, a rhythm that should mark every believer. Jesus’ teaching to forgive “seventy times seven” is not about keeping count, but about living in a state of continual grace, always ready to let go. The parable of the unforgiving servant illustrates the vastness of the debt we have been forgiven and the pettiness of what we often hold against others. When we refuse to forgive, we place ourselves in a prison of our own making, unable to experience the fullness of God’s love and peace.

The cost of forgiveness is real—someone always pays the price. In our case, Christ absorbed the full weight of our sin and shame on the cross, stamping our debt “paid in full.” When we forgive, we choose to absorb the cost rather than retaliate, following the example of Jesus. This act of grace frees us far more than it frees the one who wronged us. Unforgiveness keeps us bound, but forgiveness releases us to breathe again, to live in the freedom Christ purchased for us.

Forgiveness does not always mean reconciliation or continued relationship, especially in cases of ongoing harm. Sometimes, forgiveness is simply releasing the person to God and praying for them, even if it starts with a simple, reluctant prayer. The journey of forgiveness is often gradual, but as we surrender our hurts to God, He empowers us to let go, bringing healing and restoration to our souls. When we forgive, we step into the liberating power of God’s love, experiencing peace, joy, and the ability to truly breathe again.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Forgiveness is a Divine Command, Not a Suggestion God’s call to forgive is not a gentle encouragement but a direct command. Our willingness to release others is inseparable from our relationship with Him; when we withhold forgiveness, we hinder our fellowship with God and block the flow of His grace in our lives. The act of forgiving is an act of obedience that aligns us with the heart of the Father, who has forgiven us an immeasurable debt. [56:37]
• 2. Forgiveness Is a Lifestyle, Not a Transaction Jesus’ teaching to forgive “seventy times seven” reveals that forgiveness is not about keeping score but about cultivating a heart that is always ready to release. If we find ourselves counting offenses, we have missed the spirit of forgiveness. The rhythm of heaven is continual grace, and as disciples, we are called to walk as instant forgivers, letting go quickly and refusing to let bitterness take root. [60:11]
• 3. The Cost of Forgiveness Is Real, but Christ Paid the Ultimate Price Forgiveness always involves absorbing a cost—someone must bear the loss. Jesus bore the infinite weight of our sin, suffering in our place so that we could be free. When we forgive others, we choose to absorb the pain rather than retaliate, following the example of Christ and participating in the costly grace that sets us free. [66:14]
• 4. Forgiveness Frees the Forgiver More Than the Offender Unforgiveness is a prison that traps us, not the person who wronged us. When we release others, we are the ones who experience freedom, peace, and the ability to breathe again. Forgiveness is not primarily for the benefit of the offender, but for our own liberation from the weight and poison of bitterness. [79:35]
• 5. Forgiveness Is an Act of Surrender and Faith Letting go of offenses may cost us our pride, our sense of control, or our desire for justice, but it is an act of surrender to God’s lordship. Sometimes, forgiveness is a simple act of the will, trusting God to bring healing and restoration as we obey. As we take steps of faith—whether through prayer, confession, or symbolic acts—we open ourselves to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit and the deep peace that only God can give. [90:17]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [52:40] - Marriage Counseling Story
• [53:37] - Navy SEALs and Breathing Exercise
• [55:07] - Recap of “Breathe Again” Series
• [55:38] - Introduction to Forgiveness
• [56:37] - Forgiveness Is Commanded
• [58:40] - Forgiveness as a Lifestyle
• [61:00] - The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
• [65:44] - The Cost of Forgiveness
• [69:33] - Forgiveness and the Soul
• [73:27] - Forgiveness and Reconciliation
• [75:17] - Personal Story: Workplace Conflict
• [78:50] - Forgiveness Is Losing Count
• [79:17] - Forgiveness Frees You
• [81:44] - Forgiveness Is Costly, Christ Paid
• [83:11] - Corrie ten Boom’s Forgiveness
• [85:06] - Personal Testimony: Divorce and Release
• [89:02] - Faith Action: Writing Down Offenses
• [92:37] - Prayer of Release and Final Encouragement

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: Breathe Again – The Power of Forgiveness**

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### Bible Reading

**Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV)**
> For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

**Matthew 18:21-35 (ESV)**
> Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants..." (Read the full parable for context.)

**Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV)**
> Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Matthew 6:14-15, what is the connection between our forgiveness of others and God’s forgiveness of us?
2. In the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35), what is the difference between the debt the servant owed the king and the debt owed to the servant?
3. What does Ephesians 4:31-32 say should be removed from our lives, and what should replace those things?
4. The sermon says, “Forgiveness isn’t pretending nothing happened. It’s choosing not to let what happened define your future.” What does this mean in your own words? [[56:12]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus makes forgiveness a command and not just a suggestion for His followers? What does this say about the seriousness of unforgiveness? [[56:37]]
2. In the parable, why do you think Jesus uses such an extreme difference in the amounts owed (millions vs. a few dollars)? What is He trying to show us about our own need for forgiveness? [[01:02:39]]
3. The sermon says, “Forgiveness is not a one-time transaction but a lifestyle.” What does it look like to live as an “instant forgiver”? [[01:00:11]]
4. How does unforgiveness act like a prison for the person holding onto it, according to the sermon? [[01:19:35]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “You can’t live free while holding others hostage in your own heart.” Is there someone you are holding hostage in your heart right now? What would it look like to begin releasing them to God? [[56:12]]
2. Jesus teaches us to forgive “seventy times seven.” Are there situations or people in your life where you find yourself keeping count of offenses? What would it take to stop keeping score and start letting go? [[01:00:11]]
3. The cost of forgiveness is real—sometimes it means giving up your right to be angry or to get even. Can you think of a time when forgiving someone felt costly? How did you handle it? [[01:06:14]]
4. The sermon shares that forgiveness doesn’t always mean reconciliation, especially if there’s ongoing harm. Is there a relationship in your life where forgiveness might mean releasing the person to God rather than restoring the relationship? How can you pray for that person, even if it’s just a simple prayer? [[01:14:44]]
5. The pastor described a faith action of writing down offenses and tearing them up as a symbol of release. Is there a practical step you could take this week to physically or symbolically let go of an old hurt? What might that look like for you? [[01:29:02]]
6. Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself. Is there an area where you need to receive God’s forgiveness for yourself? What would it look like to surrender that regret or shame to God? [[01:32:26]]
7. The sermon says, “Forgiveness is an act of the will, trusting God to bring healing and restoration as we obey.” What is one step of obedience you can take this week to move toward forgiveness, even if your feelings aren’t there yet? [[01:30:17]]

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**Closing Prayer Suggestion:**
Invite the group to pray for the courage to forgive, for God’s help in letting go, and for the freedom and peace that comes from living in God’s grace.