FORGIVENESS

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

January 13, 2010



“ONLY TWO PERCENT!”

Matthew 6:12-15

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. . . For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”



“I asked for John to forgive me and he has not spoken to me since. That’s what I get for trying to make things right between us. He knows how much more guilty he is than I am, so he can just forget thinking I will speak to him again!”

Please read the above paragraph once more. You may or may not have had a similar reaction when you asked someone to forgive you. I want to stress the fact that you may be feeling that you are more the victim than the offender. That being the case, you no doubt are reluctant about asking Mr. 98% to forgive you, instead of him asking you for forgiveness.

I was attending a Basic Life Seminar many years ago and heard Bill Gothard speak about this very area. I was impressed by the wisdom of his teaching on asking others to forgive you. He mentioned wrong wording and right wording.

Wrong wording: 1. “You know, John, we both have been at fault in this matter, but I want to ask your forgiveness for my part.” Beep! You can just imagine how John is going to react to that! That is a sure way to cause bitter feelings. 2. “John, if you feel that I have done something wrong, I want you to forgive me.” In both instances there is a question that you are sincerely sorry for your actions.

Godly actions and right wording: 1. Pray sincerely and ask the Lord to show you how you have been at fault. Ask the Lord to forgive you before you ask the one you offended to forgive you. 2. Word your apology something like this: “John, the Lord has revealed to me that I was wrong in _________. I am truly sorry for what I have done. I have come to ask you to please forgive me.

Remember, you feel that John is 98% wrong in what he has done, but leave that in the hands of the Lord. Allow the Holy Spirit to do the work of bringing John to the place of seeking restoration.

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!



- - - Pastor Cecil