Embracing the Journey of Complete Forgiveness

Devotional

Day 1: Forgiveness as a Divine Command

Forgiveness is not merely a suggestion from Jesus; it is a commandment that holds the key to our spiritual freedom and emotional healing. It is essential for our spiritual well-being and is intricately linked to our relationship with God. By forgiving others, we reflect the forgiveness we have received from God. This divine commandment is not about keeping score but about losing count, as it liberates us from the burden of bitterness and resentment. Embracing forgiveness as a commandment allows us to experience the fullness of God's grace and mercy in our lives. [39:57]

"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 6:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone you struggle to forgive, and how might embracing forgiveness as a divine commandment change your approach to this relationship today?

Day 2: The Circular Nature of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a circular process that continually presents itself in our lives, whether through family, friends, or strangers. It is not about keeping score but about losing count, as Jensen Franklin aptly puts it. This circular nature of forgiveness underscores the spiritual principle that our willingness to forgive directly impacts our relationship with God. By releasing the burden of bitterness, we allow God's love to flow through us, creating a cycle of grace and mercy that enriches our spiritual journey. [46:12]

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a recent situation where you felt wronged. How can you break the cycle of bitterness and initiate a cycle of forgiveness today?

Day 3: Forgiveness as a Journey

Forgiveness is a choice and a journey. It does not condone the wrongs done to us, nor does it minimize the pain. Instead, it frees us from the prison of resentment and opens the door to healing and reconciliation. This journey requires us to relinquish our right to get even and to continually repeat the process of letting go. By viewing forgiveness as a journey, we acknowledge that it is not a one-time event but a continuous path to spiritual freedom and emotional healing. [51:17]

"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." (Ephesians 4:31-32, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to move forward on your journey of forgiveness, even if the process feels incomplete?

Day 4: Relinquishing the Right to Get Even

We must relinquish our right to get even and continually repeat the process of letting go. This act of forgiveness is a path to freedom, allowing us to walk in the spirit of grace and mercy. By letting go of the desire for retribution, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's love and forgiveness. This relinquishment is not a sign of weakness but a testament to the strength and courage required to live a life of grace and mercy. [01:09:49]

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a situation where you feel the urge to seek revenge. How can you choose to relinquish this right and embrace peace today?

Day 5: Walking in Constant Forgiveness

Forgiveness involves remembering the forgiveness we have received from God, relinquishing our right to be right, and repeating the process of letting go. It is a journey that requires us to walk in constant forgiveness, grace, and mercy. By continually choosing forgiveness, we align ourselves with God's will and open our hearts to His transformative power. This constant practice of forgiveness allows us to live in harmony with others and experience the fullness of God's love in our lives. [01:10:37]

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate the practice of constant forgiveness into your daily routine, and what impact might this have on your relationships?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we delved into the profound and often challenging topic of complete forgiveness. This is a continuation of our series, and today we focused on the necessity and power of forgiveness in our lives. Forgiveness is not merely a suggestion from Jesus; it is a commandment that holds the key to our spiritual freedom and emotional healing. We explored how forgiveness is a circular process, constantly coming back into our lives, whether through family, friends, or strangers. Jesus taught us the importance of forgiving others as a reflection of the forgiveness we have received from God.

We examined the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus intertwines the act of forgiving others with receiving forgiveness from God. This connection underscores the spiritual principle that our willingness to forgive directly impacts our relationship with God. Forgiveness is not about keeping score but about losing count, as Jensen Franklin aptly puts it. It is about releasing the burden of bitterness and allowing God's love to flow through us.

We also discussed the practical aspects of forgiveness, acknowledging that it is a choice we must make repeatedly. Forgiveness does not condone the wrongs done to us, nor does it minimize the pain. Instead, it liberates us from the prison of resentment and opens the door to healing and reconciliation. We must remember that forgiveness is a journey, not a one-time event. It requires us to relinquish our right to get even and to continually repeat the process of letting go.

In a powerful exercise, we wrote down the names of those we need to forgive and those we have wronged, symbolically tearing and discarding these lists as a step towards releasing the hold of unforgiveness. This act serves as a reminder that forgiveness is a path to freedom, allowing us to walk in the spirit of grace and mercy.

Key Takeaways

1. Forgiveness is a commandment from Jesus, not a suggestion. It is essential for our spiritual well-being and is intricately linked to our relationship with God. By forgiving others, we reflect the forgiveness we have received from God. [39:57]
2. Forgiveness is a circular process that continually presents itself in our lives. It is not about keeping score but about losing count, as it liberates us from the burden of bitterness and resentment. [46:12]
3. Forgiveness is a choice and a journey. It does not condone the wrongs done to us, nor does it minimize the pain. Instead, it frees us from the prison of resentment and opens the door to healing and reconciliation. [51:17]
4. We must relinquish our right to get even and continually repeat the process of letting go. This act of forgiveness is a path to freedom, allowing us to walk in the spirit of grace and mercy. [69:49]
5. Forgiveness involves remembering the forgiveness we have received from God, relinquishing our right to be right, and repeating the process of letting go. It is a journey that requires us to walk in constant forgiveness, grace, and mercy. [01:10:37]
** [70:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[09:49] - Introduction to Complete Forgiveness
[12:14] - Worship and Communion
[23:45] - The Bread and the Word
[25:26] - The Importance of the Bread
[26:31] - Feeding Our Hearts
[27:54] - Personal Testimony of Healing
[29:02] - The Blood of Jesus
[32:10] - The Power of the Blood
[33:48] - Upcoming Events and Reflections
[36:22] - The Command of Forgiveness
[37:51] - The Cycle of Forgiveness
[39:16] - The Lord's Prayer and Forgiveness
[41:51] - The Need to Forgive
[43:49] - The Challenge of Forgiveness
[45:20] - Peter's Question on Forgiveness
[47:30] - Jesus' Example on the Cross
[49:45] - The Struggle to Forgive
[51:17] - Forgiveness as a Choice
[53:57] - Illustration of Everyday Forgiveness
[55:52] - Walking in Constant Forgiveness
[57:51] - The Cost of Forgiveness
[58:48] - Receiving and Giving Forgiveness
[60:33] - Personal Story of Carnality
[62:47] - The Process of Forgiveness
[64:39] - Changing the Future Through Forgiveness
[66:18] - Three Handles of Forgiveness
[69:27] - Relinquishing the Right to Get Even
[70:37] - Repeating the Process of Forgiveness
[72:29] - The Root of Bitterness
[73:30] - Personal Story of Bitterness
[75:12] - The Mercy of God
[77:38] - Burying the Hatchet
[82:23] - Encouragement to Forgive
[83:41] - Exercise in Forgiveness
[85:22] - Invitation to Salvation
[87:27] - Moving into Total Forgiveness
[89:18] - Prayer and Release
[90:01] - Symbolic Act of Forgiveness

Sermon Clips

We are prospering in every area of our lives, spirit, soul, and body. We sow in faith and we reap in joy. We will have more than enough to meet every need. We have a need to pay every debt and to be a big blessing to a lot of people. We're not running out. We're running over in Jesus' name. Amen. [00:11:56] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Because I want everybody to understand that the Word of God is the final authority in your life. It's the bread that needs to be eaten. It's the bread that needs to be absorbed, not just in our minds through our eyes, but down into our hearts, down into our spirit. Because it's the bread that... When something happens to you, what is your reaction? Where are you reacting from? The Bible says the condition of your heart. Out of the abundance of your heart, the mouth speaks. [00:26:31] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

When I came to the Lord June 11, 2000, I was dying of a lung disease, irreversible nerve damages, bad back because of my lifestyle. And the Lord, first of all, healed me before he saved me. And I thought that was very interesting when I started reflecting on it. It's by the broken body, the bread, that healed me first. [00:27:01] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And then through the blood, I was saved. And it just really, when I walked out of that church June 11, 2000, I was a brand new creature. Old things have passed away. All things were made new. And so as you partake with the bread, remember what he did for you. Remember that through those wounds, you can have physical healing. You can have emotional healing. And through that blood, you can have that spiritual healing that we all need if we don't have it right now. [00:28:11] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

But you've got to understand that through that blood, everything of who you used to be is gone. And your sins are forgiven. Yesterday, today, and forever. I'll teach on that someday this next year, too. So as you partake in this, remember that it's through that blood that he bled and poured on a mercy seat and then invited you to come partake, receive what he did. [00:31:02] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Communion to me is one of the important things that we can do, both here in the church once a month and anywhere else we might be. There's no rule. There's no rule about when or how you can tell. Well, how, yes, but no rule about when. You can take it any time you want. Amen. But understand that communion doesn't get you saved. It's only the blood of Jesus that you receive, making him your Lord and Savior. [00:33:12] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

There's a lot of things that we see in his word that are. Not suggestions they're. Basically commands of Jesus. Forgiveness is one of those. And today. What I want to do. Is I want to take a few minutes this morning. And I want to talk about complete forgiveness. [00:35:59] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

I love it that when I'm praying about my kids or my grandkids or. whatever you guys whatever man I love it when Jesus shows up and takes care of these prayers I love it when I say Jesus make my wife even nicer don't tell her I said that would you oh well we've been married a long time but I love it when he answers prayers amen but then he says this in verse 25 and when you stand praying if you hold now that's a very interesting word if you're holding anything against anyone forgive them so that your father in heaven may forgive you of your sins [00:40:42] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Forgiveness can't be about keeping score. It's about losing count. Amen? So how do you lose count? You lose count because you're glad that God is loving you. God has lost the count of your problems. God has lost the count of your sins and what you have done because you don't see them anymore because they're washed by the blood. [00:46:02] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

The Bible talks about walking in forgiveness. That sounds like to me that's a constant forgiveness. Amen? We've got to walk in the spirit of forgiveness. We can't stop doing it. We can't detour down the road of forgiveness. We can't detour down the road of bitterness. We can't turn down the road of depression or the avenue of anger, even though that's what we do. [00:55:58] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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