Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:13 New International Version (NIV)
- People should not be forgiven until they ask for it.
- Forgiveness includes minimizing the offense and the pain that it caused.
- Forgiveness includes restoring trust and reuniting a relationship.
- You haven’t really forgiven until you’ve forgotten the offense.
- When I see someone else hurt, then it is my duty to forgive the offender.
Forgiveness is NOT conditional.
Forgiveness is NOT minimizing the seriousness of the offense.
Forgiveness is NOT resuming a relationship without changes.
Forgiveness is NOT forgetting what happened.
Forgiveness is NOT my right when I wasn’t the one who was hurt.
Then Peter came to him and asked,
“Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
Matthew 18:21 New Living Translation (NLT)
“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”
Matthew 18:22 (NLT)
Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone.
If you’ve got it in you, get along
with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do.
“I’ll do the judging,” says God.
“I’ll take care of it.
Romans 12:17-19 THE MESSAGE (MSG)
“Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it,
do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.
“I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never – I promise – regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.
Luke 6:31-36 (MSG)