Day 6: Living out biblical forgiveness.

Today, we want to clarify how we can seek forgiveness from those we’ve offended and how to forgive those who have offended us.

Let’s first grasp how to seek forgiveness from others if we have offended them.

1. We must humble ourselves and be willing to admit, “I was wrong. I shouldn't have _____.” That is very difficult for many of us to admit, but it breaks down the greatest barrier when it comes to someone forgiving us.

2. We need to be willing to say, “I am sorry.” This means you regret what you did and feel bad about it. It shows further humility in that you are not trying to gain their understanding of your view or prove a point that you had good intentions. You can try to understand how you made them feel by saying, “I am sorry I did _____ and caused you to feel _____.”

3. We repent by declaring, “I know that I have hurt you deeply, and I do not want to hurt you this way again.”

4. Then we humbly ask, “Will you please forgive me for doing __________?”

It is then in the hands of the offended if they are willing to forgive and rebuild trust in the relationship. But what if we were the ones who were offended? How can we forgive biblically, even if the person does not humble themselves and ask for forgiveness?

1. Forgiveness is being obedient to a command in the Bible. “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13). The difficult phrase to accept here is “whatever grievances.” We are asked to forgive anything. CS Lewis says, “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in us.”

2. Forgiveness is letting go of resentment and our right to get even. With the promise of forgiveness, we relinquish our “right” to punish the offender or make him pay. His record has been cleared. We leave the ramifications to God to handle.

3. Forgiveness is an action that must be expressed by word and deed. We must show we have forgiven them, not just say it.

4. Forgiveness is the beginning of the healing process that leads to reconciliation and restoration.

5. Forgiveness is a promise never to bring up that situation again.

6. Forgiveness can happen when we remember how much God continually forgives us.

7. When feelings come back, we keep forgiving in faith.

8. Granting forgiveness is hard, painful, and costly. But that’s the only way it can be real.

Reflect on these questions:

• What is new to you about biblical forgiveness?
• What makes forgiving so hard?
• What can help us make it easier?

Ask God to help you obey His command to forgive. May we remember that we can only ask for His forgiveness after we have chosen to forgive others. Ask God to give you enough faith to forgive and enough faith to receive forgiveness for yourself.