Forgiveness
Romans 12:14-21
Introduction
1.
Life is filled with conflict – it
was conflict that led to Jesus’ death – it was conflict that caused Cain to
kill Abel
2.
One either learns to manage
conflict or one is consumed by the conflicts of daily living
3.
Forgiveness is the tool that God
has given us to manage conflict
Discussion
1.
The importance of forgiveness
a.
The importance is stressed in
Jesus’ prayer and in his comment afterwards
b.
The importance is stressed in the
beatitude of Matt 5:7
c.
The importance is stressed in
Jesus’ discussion of the law “You shall not commit murder” – Matt
5:21-26
2.
Forgiveness:
a definition
a.
Forgiveness is not forgetting;
“forgive and forget” is not something that we can “snap our fingers” and
do; although forgetting means that you have forgiven
b.
Forgiveness has to do with release;
letting something go; giving up the right to use something as a “bargaining
chip”
c.
The scapegoat was led out into the
wilderness (which pictures the removal of sin, or forgiveness)
d.
Forgiveness is of a specific sin
(not general)
e.
Forgiveness recognizes that the
failure may occur again
3.
Going beyond forgiveness to the
attitude in which it thrives
a.
Romans 12:14-21 is not specifically
about forgiveness, but deals with attitude
i.
We are to bless instead of cursing
ii.
We are to leave vengeance to God
iii.
We are not to be overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good (in this case, forgiveness)
b.
Anger may be viewed as the opposite
of forgiveness
i.
Anger may be controlled by humility
(getting rid of the “I” factor)
ii.
Anger is controlled by compassion
for the other person
iii.
Anger is controlled by a desire to
understand the other person (actions always seem reasonable to the person
acting)
c.
Consider the case of Saul and David
in the Old Testament
i.
In their numerous confrontations
there was never a formal act of forgiveness
ii.
On the side of Saul, there
continued to be bitterness, anger and frustration
iii.
On the side of David, there
continued to be respect, humility and patience (Saul was God’s
anointed)
Conclusion
1.
One
may either learn to forgive or one can suffer the eternal consequences of that
failure
2.
There are no other options because
God requires that we forgive before He will forgive
3.
In baptism God forgives, but not
those who continue to hold grudges