Sermons

FORGIVE AS YOU HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN
(Mat. 6;14-15; col. 3;12-13)
Rev. Luis S. Notario

THREE important questions about forgiveness:
1. Why must I forgive?
2. What does it mean to forgive?
3. How can I forgive?
1. Why we must forgive:
If we don’t forgive, we will suffer the biggest loss. We cannot keep resentments in our hearts and not affected physically (medically) & mentally.
High blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, upset stomach, sleepless nights, mental depression and many more are results of unforgiving spirits. Unforgiving people suffer spiritually.

2. What is forgiveness?
To forgive is to dismiss, to release, as if we have not sinned at all; one is free to go. Just like in a court room when the judge declares “Case dismissed!” it means that there is no more case. The accused is now free to go.
Biblical forgiveness is hard, but it is possible.
What to do:
a) One must repent of the wrong he has done. We should not think of getting even with the person who have offended us because it is not ours to take revenge. It is the Lord’s.
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, VENGEANCE IS MINE; I WILL REPAY , saith the Lord.” (Romans 12:19).
Turn him over to the Lord (2 Timothy 4:14).
b) Forgiving is a command. We are commanded to love our enemies and pray for them.
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray to them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Mat. 5:44).
We are even commanded to feed our enemies when they are hungry.
“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” (Romans 20: 20).

3. How to forgive:
Unforgiving is a sin against the Lord. We should forgive, as God has forgiven us.
Not remembering our sin anymore is a decision of God once we repent , give our trust in Him and make Him our Lord and Savior . Likewise, we should decide to forgive those who have offended us so that God will also forgive us .
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Mat. 6: 14-15)
SO IF YOU WANT GOD TO FORGIVE YOU, FORGIVE OTHERS!