Lesson 141: THE ART OF FORGIVING

Kentucky Chaplain David Chaltas --

WHAT IS FORGIVENESS? The dictionary tells us that Forgiveness is the mental, emotional and/or spiritual process of ceasing to feel resentment, indignation or anger against another person for a perceived offence, difference or mistake, or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution.

Acts of forgiveness include General Jackson visiting General Gregg on his death bed and asked him to dissmiss any of their previous anamosities from his mind. General Jackson sent word not to hold it against the men that had accidently shot him. Gundi prayed for the man that mortally wounded him and said that he forgave him. General Johnston attending the funeral of his nemisis. Do you recall the story of The Prodical’s Son (Luke 15:11-34), and the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-8)? Joseph forgiving his brothers.

Acts of forgiveness are throughout the Bible. Remember Joseph’s great act of forgiveness? There he was imprisoned by his own brothers and sold as a slave. He suffered due to their jealousy. He was a slave and worked as a slave. Oh how easily he could of reeked vengence but instead, look at what he did. For he followed God’s will and plan. He became Pharoh’s right hand.

In Genesis 43: 29-34, we can see that Joseph was not a bitter man, nor a vengeful person but a man that practiced forgiveness. He was a man that loved his brothers, especially Benjamin. “29 Then he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your younger brother of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” 30 Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there. 31 Then he washed his face and came out; and he restrained himself,

And said, “Serve the bread.” 32 So they set him a place by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves; because the Egyptians could not eat food with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. 33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked in astonishment at one another. 34 Then he took servings to them from before him, but Benjamin’s serving was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him.” Joseph realized the great plan of God but he was not yet ready to reveal himself to his brothers. He had to see if they had truly repented of their deeds. 

Genesis 41:1-15 states that, “1 Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Make everyone go out from me!” So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it. 3 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. 4 And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. 9 “Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph: “God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry. 10 You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children’s children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. 11 There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine.”’ 12 “And behold, your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my mouth that speaks to you. 13 So you shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen; and you shall hurry and bring my father down here.” 14 Then he fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. 15 Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with him.” There is great rejoicing in the act of forgiveness! Joseph was alive in the spirit of hope! In forgiving his brothers, Joseph was able to live out the rest of his days in Egypt with a restored, renewed and rededicated loving relationship with his family. Such is the power of forgiveness. 

Like Joseph, we must look within ourselves, as we seek guidance and build a relationship with the Almighty. We must first remove all grudges, envy, hatred, and genuinely forgive those that we perceive as having wronged us. Only then will we be able to find our true path. It is said that jealousy poisons the well but only you drink from it. Removing those things that distance us from God, we will find our true calling. The art of forgiveness will free us from all bondage and will open the door to a closer walk with God.

THE ART OF FORGIVENESS

Matthew 26:28-This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 

Mark 1:4-And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 

Luke 1:77-to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 

Luke 3:3-He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 

Luke 24:47-and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 

Acts 2:38-Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

Acts 5:31-God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 

Acts 10:43-“All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." 

Acts 13:38-"Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.

The Lord's Prayer -"Forgive us our [debts], as we forgive our [debtors]"

Mark 11:25-"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Ephesians 4:32-"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Luke 23:34-"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.". Uttered by Jesus Christ as he was put to death.

Matthew 18:21-35: Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?  22Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 23Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.  24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.  25But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.  26The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.  27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.  28But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.  30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.  31So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.  32Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:  33Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?  34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.  35So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Forgiveness of self comes prior to the forgiveness of others. I want you to do something for yourself. I want you to take a piece of paper and without anyone else looking at it, I want you to write the first letter of the most terrible thing you feel that you ever did. No one else will see: only you and your Creator. God already knows what it is but self-acknowledgment is vital and is an act of faith. After you have acknowledged it, find a safe contained and offer it to the Lord by burning it. Let the flames devour that obstacle, as you truly repent, and allow the smoke to take it to your heavenly Father, believing in His power to wash away your sins; release it to Him. As you watch the smoke ascend to the heavens, imagine that it is carrying your petition to our forgiving God. If you seek forgiveness through prayer, this simple act will release you of that appalling act that is keeping you for discovering your walk with God. As a new creature, your assignment is to go out and forgive another, as God has forgiven you. Walking in the light of forgiveness, unearned save by the grace of God, I remain your obedient servant, the Old General.