7 Foundations of a Healthy Marriage Pt4
Forgiveness – A
Sunday, September 1, 2019
I. 7 Foundations of a Healthy Marriage
A.Understanding the Importance of Forgiveness
1.(Col. 3:12-13 NLT) Forgiveness is a vital part of our wellbeing as a believer.
2.(Eph. 4:31-32 NLT) Bitterness, rage, anger etc. are often signs and the result of un-forgiveness in the heart.
a.(Heb. 12:14-17) Root of bitterness springing up
~(Jas. 3:16 KJV) Confusion and every evil work
~(Prov. 13:10 NIV) All strife is rooted in pride
b.(1 Cor. 5:1-7 NLT; 2 Cor. 2:6-11) Satan gains advantage of us in un-forgiveness.
c.(Matt. 18:21-35 NLT) Un-forgiveness puts us in bondage to torment or torture.
d.(2 Chron. 7:14) Un-forgiveness can stop healing.
e.(Luke 7:47) Un-forgiveness stops love.
3.To understand what forgiveness is and it’s process, let’s first understand what forgiveness is NOT!
a.Forgiveness is not the compromise of morals.
~“If I forgive them they will think what they did was ok!”
b.Forgiveness is not a violation of justice.
~“If I forgive them then they are getting away with injustice.”
~(Rom. 12:19 NLT) Forgiveness releases people to God and His righteous judgment.
c.Forgiveness is not conflict avoidance.
~“I just don’t want to face it!”
d.Forgiveness is not trust.
~“I can forgive and start the process of building trust.” (Example – an affair)
~Forgiveness can be given forward, but trust must by earned!
~Reconciliation may not be possible if trust isn’t restored.
f.Forgiveness is not
~“You will never forget, as in amnesia, a deep hurt but you can move forward like it never didn’t happen.”
g.Forgiveness is not the absence of pain or hurt.
~“Do you know what they did to me?”
4.What is Forgiveness? Releasing of debt. “You owe me nothing!” In forgiveness, I turn your account over to God. In forgiveness, I release you to God.
a.Forgiveness releases:
~People of debt.
~People to God.
~Me from tormentors.
[Pastor Lee Stokes]