Forgiveness Nuggets 9
Col 3:12-13 (NIV)
12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Honestly desire to become free of the burden of unforgiveness and prepare to forgive. It isn’t going to happen unless we truly desire it.
You must genuinely want to experience forgiveness. “I choose to forgive.” Look at it as if unforgiveness was poisoning your life; because it is.
Verbalize your feelings and your desire to forgive.
True forgiveness is demonstrated in our willingness to pray for and to facilitate good things happening in the life of the one who has hurt us. I find that when I pray for those who have hurt me God brings a great deal of healing into my heart and softens my heart towards them.
1Pet 3:8 (NIV)
8Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
Rom 12:14-18 (NIV)
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone
Rom 12:19-21 (NIV)
19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[a]says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."[b] 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
“To heap burning coals on someone’s head is to turn him into a servant who brings the fire of love into the life and homes of others. Paul is saying that by returning good for evil and by blessing those who would hurt us, we turn the hurtful event around. They may be won over by our kindness and may become servants of God’s grace. Start by praying for them.”
Do not take revenge or repay evil for evil, but attempt to live in peace. If justice is due, leave it for the Lord to repay.
Attempt to be kind, understanding and to live in harmony.
Put aside pride and conceit and be willing to associate with those you previously held in low esteem. This does not apply to abusers, however.
Lend assistance in our enemy’s time of need.
Rom 12:20 (NIV)
20On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."[
Prayer:
Father, show me how to pray for my enemies. Give me a kind, compassionate heart. Help me not to have a tape going in my head of all the things I’d say to them if they ever did it again. I pray for peace and restoration of relationships that You desire would be mended again. Amen!
Lorilie Nelson
Choosing Forgiveness
John & Paula Sandford and Norm Bowman
Copyright © 1996
Clear Stream, Inc. Publishing
Box 122128, Arlington, Texas 76012
Total Forgiveness
R.T. Kendall
Copyright © 2002
Published by Charisma House
A Strang Company
600 Rinehart Road
Lake Mary, Florida 32746
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