Pentecost Study
Week 6
Forgiveness
Not a word we like to use alot.
Forgiveness means - act of forgiving, state of forgiveness, disposition or willingness to forgive.
Forgiving a person does not mean that they are restored to the position of trust they once had. I believe this is a major concern in the body of Christ today.
What is forgiveness?
"Forgiveness is the act of setting someone free before God, from a wound created in you, as a result of a wrong done aginst you by them." -Robert J. Smith-
This is one of the best statements I have heard on forgiveness. When we forgive someone for the hurt they have caused in our life, we set them free and ourselves. Unforgiveness hinders our walk with the Lord and our prayer life. Our christian walk is about our relation with the Father and our relationship with each other. If one of those relationships are hurt, it also affects the other.
Scope of forgiveness,
1. A wound - a wound is created by something someone has done or said. It creates a sore spot in our life. Like any other wound if we do not deal with it. It will get infected. It will grow into resentment, anger, bitterness.
2. A debt owed - we feel we are owed something. It is always the other person who owes the apology. For you to feel better they owe you an apology. We like to blame others for the way we feel.
3. Cancellation of debt - when we forgive we cancel out the debt that we feel is owed. This brings freedom from the pain and hurt.
4. Restoration by praying blessing - as we forgive, begin to pray blessings on the one who hurt you. This is a good way to see if you have forgiven.
Here are a few scriptures.
Luke 6:37 "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
This is a powerful verse.
Mark 11:25-26 "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him that your Father in heaven may also forgive your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." Many a person has gotten upset over these verses. It is telling us a lot. But it does bring very clear to us that our relationship with the Father is hindered if our relationship with our brother is broken.
1 John1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Psalm 86:5 "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon your name."
The word Christian means "Christ like" ready to forgive and abundant in mercy, because that it was God has called us to be like. Also knowing that our prayers and walk with God are hindered if we don't forgive those who hurt us.
Three questions; Why do I forgive? How do I forgive? How do I know forgiveness is complete?
1. We forgive because we have been forgiven and have experienced the love of Christ in our life. It keeps us in right relationship with the Father when we forgive.
2. Forgiveness is a decision not a feeling. We will never feel like forgiving, but we must chose to. When we forgive someone our feeings may not change right away. But continue to walk in forgiveness and begin to pray blessings on that person and you will experience the freedom in Jesus Christ our Lord.
3. We know forgiveness is complete when the persons name who has hurt you no longer brings up negative effects in you. Such as anger, resentment, get even. But only brings up blessings of love.
So Father we ask in the name of Jesus, that you will reveil in our lives today those that we need to forgive. And as You do Lord, give us the strength to forgive. That we may walk in the freedom that you have provided through your Son. Holy Spirit begin to work in us, make us more like Christ each day. Amen
Obey Holy Spirit's Direction
God is the same today, yesterday, and tomorrow. He continues to speak to His sheep who know His voice. When you think Hoy Spirit has spoken to you and you want to confirm it, go to a person whose life bears fruit and have them pray to see what the Lord is saying in your situation.
Obeying Holy Spirit involves doing what the scripture tells us to do. There will be times that Holy Spirit will give specific things that He wants us to do. Holy Spirit will never ask you to do something that is contrary to God's Word. But the angel of light will.
If it does not line up with God's character and scripture then it is not of God. We can hear from God through inspired scripture, dreams, visions, angels, still small voice, quickening in our heart, revelation through words of knowlege, wisdom and prophecy etc. The scriptures warn us not to resist the Spirit, not to quench the Spirit, not to greive the Spirit.
What is resisting the Spirit?
Acts 7:51 "You stiffed neck and uncircumcised in the heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you"
This is Stephen talking to the council, just before his stoning. The council did not want to hear the message of
Christ. They resisted the Spirit from changing their lives.
Zechariah 7:11 "But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears, so they could not hear" They did not want to hear what the Spirit was saying through the prophet.
Jeremiah 32:33 "And they have turned to Me the back, and not the face; though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not listened to receive instruction." You have a picture here of them turning their backs on the Lord and refusing to listen and adhear the Word.
Resisting the Spirit is to reject, do the opposite, of what the Spirit is saying.
What grieves the Spirit?
Ephesins 4:30-31 "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you where sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." This is spoken to the believer. We grieve the Spirit when we allow these things in our lives.
What quenches the Spirit?
1 Thessalonians 5:19 "Do not quench the Spirit"
To stop what the Spirit is doing. Acts 5 gives an example of the Spirit being quenched. When we are not willing to be obediant.
Ask the Lord if there is any areas of your life where you have been resisting, greiving or quenching the Spirit. God wants to work in you, on you, and through you. But it only happens as we yeild to Him.
Keep pursuing God.