“If you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” —Matthew 6:15

“‘Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” —Matthew 18:33-35

Read the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew 18:21-35.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written, “It is Mine to avenge, I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. —Romans 12:17-21

THE GREAT REWARDS OF FORGIVENESS

1. God’s peace for my pain

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” —Genesis 50:20

2. God’s health for my hurt
Forgiveness has nothing to do with feelings. It is an act of the will.

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. —James 5:16

3. God’s love for my loss
No matter how deep our darkness, God’s love is deeper still. –Corrie ten Boom

Love covers over a multitude of sin. —1 Peter 4:8

4. God’s life for my strife

Do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the enemy a foothold. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ forgave you. —Ephesians 4:26,27,31,32

Open the tomb and give God room

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. —Lamentations 3:22,23
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. —Ephesians 3:20,21

Recommended Book
The Secret of Lasting Forgiveness, Bruce Wilkinson
(Under old title: The Freedom Factor on Hoopla)

Discussion Questions
1. Why are people, including Christians, often unwilling to forgive?