Introduction
This manual is designed to assist Evangelist in performing they’re their duties in the simplest way. It can also be helpful to leaders because if you don't have the proper training and care for yourself, it's quite evident that you will destroy yourself while winning souls and also destroying others.
What is Forgiveness?
Forgiveness is the power to let go of resentment towards someone who has caused you harm.
Table of contents
Chapter One
Page 2……………………………….Definition of Forgiveness
Chapter Two
Page 4……………………………….Forgiveness and the evangelist
Chapter Three
Page 6……………………………….Four types of Forgiveness
Chapter Four
Page 8……………………………….Forgiveness at its Highest level
Chapter Five
Page 10……………………………..Deliverance for Forgiveness
Conclusion
Chapter One
Definaition of forgiveness
Forgiveness is a rather large topic in the Bible. From cover to cover you will find forgiveness as a key message in just about every book.
Let’s look at some of the highlights. First in the Old Testament.
· In Isaiah, it describes our sin as a bright red stain and God’s forgiveness as washing us white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18)
· Jeremiah carries a similar message about God’s forgiveness. (Jeremiah 31:34)
· David writes extensively in the book of Psalms praising God for his forgiveness. (Psalm 32:5, 38:3-4, 51:2-5, 86:5, 103:10-14, 130:4)
· Solomon talks about the wisdom and benefits in forgiving others. (Proverbs 17:9)
In the New Testament it continues this theme and expands on it.
· Jesus embodies God’s forgiveness of us. (Matthew 26:28)
· Jesus builds on this by saying we are not only to receive forgiveness but to give it. (Matthew 6:14-15)
· Jesus challenges us to take forgiveness beyond the point of fairness. We don’t stop forgiving. (Matthew 18:21-22).
· Later in the New Testament Paul continually mentions the importance of forgiving others in his letters to the early church. (Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13, Romans 12:17)
· And James offers practical wisdom on loving our neighbor through forgiveness. (James 2:8)
Chapter Two
Forgiveness and the person
“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24 :12)
And this we already see coming to pass at this junk troll in the human saga right there for or a very right before a very eyes for indeed the loving kindness of a great multitude of people individuals who at one time were very loving people had tragically turn ice cold .
wherefore not only must you take care to not allow your own love for God and people to walk I believe there is such thing as God's timing but I left that I'm meeting people don't know what is God's timing versus God's make up your mind school but also to guard yourself from getting bitter and resentful due to the maltreatment you will invertedly experience throughout the tenture of your life from those unwise individuals who have allowed their love to wax cold by praying prayers of forgiveness over those people each and every time they woon did you is the primary way to keep your heart free and clear.
list any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be deflied
(Hebrews 12:15)
The study in this booklet shows, by looking at the original words, that forgiveness is a two-part transaction. God forgives every sin; the question is whether we receive that forgiveness. There are different Greek words for forgiveness granted and forgiveness received. One is always unconditional while the other is always conditional.
Charazomai (Strong’s G5483) is used for forgiveness unconditionally granted as in:
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Eph 4:32)
Notice Paul is saying to the Ephesians “God … hath forgiven you” while also telling them to put away the bitterness, wrath etc. (verse 31) that they still had in their hearts. They were not, at that point, in a forgiving mood yet God had forgiven them.
Aphiemi (Strong’s G863) is used for forgiveness received which is conditional, obviously, on recognizing our need and receiving the forgiveness as in:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
In that case, aphiemi has the meaning of “to send away.” What is being removed and sent away from the sinner is the guilt and shame of a wrong act.
When reading every New Testament verse that uses forgiveness, forgiven etc., a careful examination of the context will tell you which Greek word is being used. Forgiveness is a two-part transaction; it is both given and received. And Forgiveness is good news indeed!
Chapter Three
Types of Forgiveness
In the Bible, there are different kinds of forgiveness. These include Dismissive forgiveness, Relational forgiveness, and Unconditional forgiveness. Each type of forgiveness has its own conditions and requirements.
1.Dismissive forgiveness
Matthew 6:14-15 (New Testament): "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Ephesians 4:32 (New Testament): "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
2.Relational forgiveness
Matthew 18:21-22 (New Testament): "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'"
Colossians 3:13 (New Testament): "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
3. Unconditional forgiveness
Luke 6:37 (New Testament): "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
Ephesians 4:32 (New Testament): "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
God’s Forgiveness:
Volumes could be written about the forgiveness of God. He gave the ultimate sacrifice of His son to provide us the forgiveness that we could not earn. The word forgive appears at least 127 times in the Bible. These two verses sum up God’s forgiveness toward us.
Hebrews 9:22, “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”
Colossians 2:13-14, “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
I love the verses in Colossians. They provide such a beautiful picture of Christ purchasing our forgiveness on the cross. These verses provide no doubt of man’s guilt and God’s mercy.
God’s forgiveness is perfect purchased with the precious blood of Jesus.
My forgiveness of others is required by God
God provides many examples in the Bible of our required forgiveness to others. Even the Lord’s Prayer says, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.” The model prayer speaks to us about forgiving others. Jesus taught about forgiveness in Luke 17 commanding that we are required to forgive as many times as needed in verses 3-4. Many other examples can be found but the one I found most convicting is in Ephesians.
Ephesians 4:31-32, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Wow!!!! God set the standard for forgiveness and these verses let us know what his expectation is. I want to point out that there are no exceptions. It doesn’t say if someone hurts you bad, kills someone in your family, or physically abuses you then you are exempt from forgiveness.
When we compare our hurts, there is not one God has not experienced. Yet, He freely offers forgiveness. God finally got my attention regarding the forgiveness I had been withholding about sexual abuse in my past. He continues to lead me on a journey to complete healing.
What journey are you on today? Is there someone in your past that you need to forgive?
Chapter four
Forgiveness at its highest Level
The Bible verses about forgiveness fall into two broad categories. God forgiving us, and in response we are to forgive those around us.
1. God forgive Us
2. God forgiven You
1. We Forgive Because We Were Forgiven
· The Bible is clear from the front to the back that God is a God who forgives. He’s paid our debts, forgiven our sins, and set us free. We have been forgiven much.
· Our response isn’t to hoard this to ourselves. But to pour it out on those around us. God has generously given us grace and therefore we are to do the same.
· This is the message from the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35). His large debt was forgiven. But he went out to demand small debts that were owed to him be paid. He missed the heart of forgiveness. We are to forgive because we have been forgiven.
2. We All Need Forgiveness
We often have an inaccurate picture of who we really are. Sure, those people over there need forgiveness. But we aren’t as bad as them.
But forgiveness in the Bible paints a different picture. Romans 3:23 tells us that we ALL have fallen. We are ALL in need of forgiveness.
At the cross we find that we are all broken and incapable of saving ourselves.
My forgiveness of others is required by God:
God provides many examples in the Bible of our required forgiveness to others. Even the Lord’s Prayer says, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.” The model prayer speaks to us about forgiving others. Jesus taught about forgiveness in Luke 17 commanding that we are required to forgive as many times as needed in verses 3-4. Many other examples can be found but the one I found most convicting is in Ephesians.
Ephesians 4:31-32, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Wow!!!! God set the standard for forgiveness and these verses let us know what his expectation is. I want to point out that there are no exceptions. It doesn’t say if someone hurts you bad, kills someone in your family, or physically abuses you then you are exempt from forgiveness.
When we compare our hurts, there is not one God has not experienced. Yet, He freely offers forgiveness. God finally got my attention regarding the forgiveness I had been withholding about sexual abuse in my past. He continues to lead me on a journey to complete healing.
What journey are you on today? Is there someone in your past that you need to forgive?
Conclusion
It’s clear that forgiveness in the Bible is a dominant theme. We are reminded time and time again that we are forgiven and challenged to go do the same for those around us.
Forgiveness is not easy. But it is necessary for followers of Jesus. Without forgiving we will be unable to be forgiven. Our lives will suffer. If you want to live the good life that God has for you then you need to be willing to forgive.
The first prayer blocker is unforgiveness. When you harbor resentment, offense, bitterness, or anger toward another person it blocks your prayers. This isn’t my opinion. Jesus says in Mark 11:25, “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Reminders
21. Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
22. Romans 8:13-14 For if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons.
23. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Glassary
2. Colossians 3:13 Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, you also should forgive.
3. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
4. Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Jesus and said, “Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me, and I forgive him, up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I tell you, not seven times but seventy times seven!
5. Leviticus 19:17-18 Do not bear a grudge against others, but settle your differences with them, so that you will not commit a sin because of them. Do not take revenge on others or continue to hate them but love your neighbors as you love yourself. I am the Lord.
6. Mark 11:25 And when you stand and pray, forgive anything you may have against anyone, so that your Father in heaven will forgive the wrongs you have done.”
7. Matthew 5:23-24 So if you are about to offer your gift to God at the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift to God.
8. Matthew 6:12 Forgive us as we forgive others.
9. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 When you forgive someone, I do, too. Indeed, what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I did in the presence of the Messiah for your benefit, so that we may not be outsmarted by Satan. After all, we are not unaware of his intentions.
10. Ephesians 4:26-27 Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set while you are still angry, and do not give the Devil an opportunity to work.
11. Hebrews 10:30 For we know the one who said, “I will take revenge. I will pay them back.” He also said, “The LORD will judge his own people.”
12. Romans 12:19 Don’t take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God’s anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, “I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord.”
Unforgiveness leads to bitterness and hatred.
13. Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up and causes you trouble, or many of you will become defiled.
14. Ephesians 4:31 Get rid of your bitterness, hot tempers, anger, loud quarreling, cursing, and hatred.
Unforgiveness reveals how you feel about Christ.
15. John 14:24 The one who doesn’t love Me will not keep My words. The word that you hear is not Mine but is from the father who sent Me.
Unforgiveness is one of the reasons for unanswered prayers.
16. John 9:31 We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is devout and does his will, God listens to him.
When you won’t forgive because of pride.
17. Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
18. Proverbs 29:23 Your pride can bring you down. Humility will bring you honor.
Love your enemies.
19. Matthew 5:44 But I tell you this: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
20. Romans 12:20 But, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. If you do this, you will make him feel guilty and ashamed.”