One Another: FORGIVE
Pastor Reggie Hill
Scripture
Colossians 3:13 NKJV
“Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Big Idea
“Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
Wouldn’t that be amazing if that were true? Most of the time it is easier to heal a broken bone than a broken heart. Offenses come in all shapes and sizes and whether it’s something that was said to you or about you or it was something that wasn’t said to you. Maybe it was something said to someone else that you wish was said to you. There may even be offenses taken not from something said to you, but done to you or done to a loved one. Whatever the offense is that we’ve taken up it can be a load to carry. We’ve all been there and you may even be there currently, and that’s ok, but it’s not ok to stay there. Offensives are unavoidable, but you don’t have to stay offended. You can choose to forgive.
Questions
If someone had a complaint about you, would you rather them tell you straight up or keep it to themself? Why?
When you have a complaint about someone, do you go to them about it?
What stops you from going to that person?
Who do you talk to about it instead?
Colossians 3:13 and Ephesians 4:32 say we must forgive as Christ does. How does forgiving affect your attitude?
How does continuing to complain about others affect your attitude?
How necessary is it for you to receive an apology in order to forgive someone?
Have you always felt this way?
Is it possible to be kind and compassionate to someone you haven’t forgiven? Why or why not?
How do you think the phrase “Forgive, but don’t forget” lines up with Scripture?
What is the difference between silently forgiving someone versus telling that person you forgive them?
Call To Action
Go to the Lord. The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:7 NIV “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” Take your hurts and offenses to the Lord and allow Him to set you free.
Go to the person(s) that has hurt you or offended you and forgive them. Make that phone call, send that text.
You may be the one who needs to ask for forgiveness for something you’ve done, go and make it right today.
