This is the last part of the Laying Aside Bitterness and Running with Forgiveness series. If you have not read the first 2 parts please do as they discuss up rooting bitterness. Bitterness stems from past trauma, things in which we cannot control or change. Bitterness takes root in ourselves when we Turn Away from God and run to other gods, people, or do nothing.
This lesson will be on Forgiveness and how it is important that we forgive others. Not for their sake, but for our Salvation.
To keep from being bitter toward hurtful people in our lives, we must personally realize that God's Grace Allows us to forgive just as He has forgiven us.
1. How do the passages below teach us about Forgiveness?
Ephesians 1:7-14
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
* What I wrote:
We have redemption through Christ's Death. Redemption- G629-ἀπολύτρωσιςapolýtrōsis, ap-ol-oo'-tro-sis; from a compound of G575 and G3083; (the act) ransom in full, i.e. (figuratively) riddance, or (specially) Christian salvation:—deliverance, redemption.
We have forgiveness of Sin. Forgiveness-G859-ἄφεσιςáphesis, af'-es-is; from G863; freedom; (figuratively) pardon:—deliverance, forgiveness, liberty, remission. Sin-G3900-παράπτωμαparáptōma, par-ap'-to-mah; from G3895; a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e. (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression:—fall, fault, offence, sin, trespass.
We receive the richness of The Lord God's Grace. We receive wisdom and insight making known the mysteries of His Will according to His purpose. Unity in All Things In Heaven and on Earth. We Obtained an inheritance, and we are Sealed with the Holy Spirit.
1 John 1
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
* What I wrote: If we confess our sins He forgives us. Confess-G3670-ὁμολογέωhomologéō, hom-ol-og-eh'-o; from a compound of the base of G3674 and G3056; to assent, i.e. covenant, acknowledge:—con- (pro-)fess, confession is made, give thanks, promise. Confession cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Cleanse- G2511-καθαρίζωkatharízō, kath-ar-id'-zo; from G2513; to cleanse (literally or figuratively):—(make) clean(-se), purge, purify. Unrighteousness-G93-ἀδικίαadikía, ad-ee-kee'-ah; from G94; (legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness (of character, life or act):—iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong.
Forgiveness = Divine Intervention/Grace=Unconditional Love
Forgiveness means to let go, cancel, release, pardon, purge, purify, release...
Our Forgiveness is a Divine Intervention from The Lord God Almighty. With forgiveness comes the responsibility as new creations in Yahusha HaMashiach/ Jesus Christ our Messiah to extend and forgive others.
2. What does Jesus teach us in Matthew 18 about releasing others?
Matthew 18:21-25
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
*What I wrote: We do not always understand what The Lord God has done for us, so we continue the cycle of: Asking for forgiveness, Sinning, following the world, Asking God for Forgiveness, Sinning, Turning from God, using drugs, sex, lying, slandering, robbing, stealing....and remained Jailed by our Own Anger and Rage.
The purpose for releasing the 1st servant was to show Mercy and Grace. That Mercy and Grace should have been shown to the man who owed the servant money. It was not and because the servant did not understand what the master had done, he was sent to prison.
The Lord God Has Released us from our sins and we Must show the same Kindness, Grace, and Mercy to others. Otherwise we end up destroying ourselves by not letting things go.
3. What Does Paul tell us in Colossians 3 that supports Jesus' parable?
Colossians 3
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
*What I wrote: We are to put on Compassionate hearts, Kindness, humility, meekness, patients. We are to look for Grace and Mercy from God so that we Have the Strength to forgive each other as God has forgiven us.
We are to obey what God tells us to do. For obedience in God pleases Him. We are to stop lying, put away All Malice, anger and wrath.
We are to bear one an-other's burdens and forgive each other. We are to Love which brings perfect Harmony. We are to be thankful and let Jesus rule over our hearts and minds.
You don't forgive someone for their sake, you forgive so you can become 100% free.
Your forgiving isn't about the offender, but between you and God.
Forgiveness deals with your pain, not An-other's Behavior.
Forgiveness is costly- it can keep you in bondage and bitter, or you can live with the freedom of forgiveness.
4. How Do We Deal with Bitterness towards People who have Hurt us?
Luke 23:32-41
32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, This Is The King Of The Jews.
39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
We Must Remember Ephesians 6:12
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Jesus/ Yauhsha knew that those who mocked Him, killing Him that the spirit of the wicked one was over powering their hearts and minds. This too pertains to today where people abuse and misuse God and others for their own benefits. This is Spiritual Warfare and has been since the Dawn of Time.
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