Second Chances: Forgiving Others

• Genesis 50:15 (NLT)
• Genesis 50:17 (NLT)
• Psalm 65:3 (NLT)
• Isaiah 1:18 (NLT)
• Matthew 6:14 (NLT)
• Matthew 6:15 (NLT)
• Matthew 18:23 (NLT)
• Luke 11:4 (NLT)
• Luke 23:34 (NLT)
• Romans 12:17 (NLT)

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Grace is the one thing the world cannot duplicate.

We must forgive because God has forgiven us.

What keeps us from understanding forgiveness (enslaving attitudes)?

- Forgiveness is giving up resentment (anger), no matter what has been done to you

- Forgiving others is not justifying their actions

- Forgiving others is not trusting the passage of time

- Forgiving others is not denying that you're hurt (hurting people hurt people)

- Forgiving others is not confronting them personally

Two steps to forgiving others

1. Remember that you have been forgiven (Matthew 18:23-35)

2. Release the person entirely (Matthew 6:14-15)

Unforgiveness will destroy your life and separate you from God by destroying your prayer life.

Unforgiveness is like a boomerang...it comes back to you and you're the one that hurts.

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