“Money can't buy life.” - Bob Marley
"Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something." - Pancho Villa
"I'm going to the bathroom to read." - Elvis Presley
"Tomorrow, I shall no longer be here."- Nostradamus
"Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow." - Steve Jobs
"Okay, let's roll." - Todd Beamer
Luke 23:32-34 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Luke 6:27-28 But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
“Forgiveness is the greatest miracle that Jesus ever performs. It meets the greatest need; it costs the greatest price; and it brings the greatest blessings and most lasting results.” (Wiersbe)
We live as if the God-human gap is actually much smaller than it really is. (Wilhoit)
01. You can’t give what you haven’t received.
THE ONLY WAY GOD WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU IS IF YOU DON’T DESIRE FORGIVENESS!
You will never be able to radically forgive others if you don’t receive the radical forgiveness of Jesus.
02. You can forgive what is not perceived.
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Jesus recognized the blindness of His enemies.
03. An unforgiving heart is not relieved.
“The world despises this theology because it thinks anger is necessary to fuel the struggle for justice, and that forgiveness will dissipate that anger. The Christian disagrees and replies, “No. I will forgive and I will struggle for justice. I may still be angry, but my struggle for justice will be purified by forgiveness and thereby become more effective.” Kenneth Bailey
Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.
To forgive is to set a prisoner free and to discover the prisoner was you.
-Corrie Ten Boom
04. Apart from God it’s unachieved.
2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
If you think it’s impossible to forgive someone, you are limiting the grace of God.