## Questions concerning Forgiveness

## Psalms 66:18

Over the past few Sunday evenings we have been exploring the topic of forgiveness. We have discussed how to respond to others mistreating us, how to respond to a brother who sins against us, and how to respond when one refuses to ask or grant forgiveness. Tonight I want us to look at a few more questions on the topic.

This is one of those areas that causes us to have some questions, because there are so many different scenarios to consider. I probably will not cover all situations, but if you have a question concerning forgiveness that I have not addressed, please feel free to talk with me about it.

I. Why Should We Go?

A. God's Word commands us to go.

1. Whether we have been the one who has been offended. Cf Lk. 17:3-4

2. Or if we have been the one who offended another, we are commanded to go. Cf Mt. 5:23-24

B. It becomes a matter of obedience. Cf Ps. 66:18

1. Failure to obey the Word of God will hinder our relationship with God.

2. How important is it to us that our relationship with God be right?

3. Note: 1 John 1:5-10

C. Danger of church discipline

1. It is always easiest to repent at the lowest level. (brother to brother)

2. Failure to repent at that level makes it more difficult for the individual.

3. That is not an excuse not to be biblical though!

4. Ex. Well I know that it would only make things worse, so I won't go to them.

II. When Should I Go?

A. Jesus describes it as an URGENT situation.

1. Note: Mt. 5:23-24 (first be reconciled)

2. The point is this, Jesus considers this an urgent matter, one that even supersedes worship.

3. Note also Heb. 12:14

B. What do we think of as urgent situations?

1. Things that would cause us to call 911.

2. A fire, and accident, someone's life in danger.

3. Jesus would want us to put this issue in the same category.

a. Can you imagine that on 911? - "our last segment showed two mountain climbers rescued from a dangerous cliff where they almost lost their lives

b. But in this next segment we have a real emergency - a husband has sinned against his wife and now must rush over to make it right . . ."

4. Is seeking forgiveness when we've sinned as urgent to us as it is to God? 5. Note: 1Co. 11:30-31

a. The Lord makes it clear that some are sick and even some have died because they refused to judge themselves.

b. This is an urgent issue!

III. What About Psalm 51:4?

A. Since David killed Urriah and committed adultery with Bathsheba, why does David say that he only committed sin against God?

B. David initially could only see the depths of his sin against God.

C. Surely one of the reasons we don't ask forgiveness as quickly and as often as we should is because we don't view our sin as an offense against God.

D. I am sure that David dealt with the others in this, but first he saw his sin against God.

1. Similar passage in Luke 15, with the prodigal son.

2. He said in v18 "I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,"

IV. What About Heart Sins?

A. Definition - a sin that was committed in my mind but did not result in an additional act of sin. (Examples: lust, covetousness, etc.)

B. We only ask forgiveness when there has been a breach in the relationship (the other person knows you sinned against them )

1. Don't go to someone with, "please forgive me for thinking you were a dirty rat"

2. But we obviously must go if those sinful thoughts led to sinful acts (which they often do) - but you are still only asking forgiveness for the acts.

C. What you don't know can hurt you.

1. We must distinguish between "heart sins" that the other person obviously wouldn't know about and unknown sinful acts that will affect our relation- ship with the unknowing person.

2. All sinful acts must be cleared.

3. There is a difference in my thinking you are a dirty rat, and my telling someone else that you are.

V. How Do We Ask Forgiveness?

A. State clearly what we did wrong.

B. Request their forgiveness

C. Use simple, factual terms

D. Don't destroy good words with a wrong attitude

E. Don't attach excuses to confession (please forgive me for what I did when you pulled that dirty trick on me)

(PROV 28:13) "HE THAT COVERETH HIS SINS SHALL NOT PROSPER: BUT WHOSO CONFESSETH AND FORSAKETH THEM SHALL HAVE MERCY."

Our God is a God of forgiveness. Have you experienced that forgiveness tonight? Do you know the joy of having your sins covered by the blood of Christ? Why not come tonight and allow us to show you how you can be forgiven.

Forgiveness is important to God and should be important to Christians as well. We need to constantly be growing in this area of our Christian life. God commands us to be forgiving people. Are we practicing forgiveness?