FORGIVENESS
Texts: Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;


Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:


Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:


Intro: To err is human; to forgive, divine. - Man will never reach a higher plane than when praying for forgiveness or when forgiving others.
1. Forgiveness always involves at least two persons, GOD and YOU.
The Creator and the Creature


2. Sinners often have trouble seeing their need, because they perceive only themselves as being involved. God is always involved.
“If it doesn’t hurt anyone, then it isn’t wrong; or; I’m not hurting anyone but myself.”


Psa 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.


Sin is against Him:
a. Because of our created status; in His image.
Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.


b. He is grieved by our sin!
Gen 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Gen 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.


3. To Receive forgiveness, the Wrong must be real to both parties.
Wrong must be real to YOU before you can be forgiven. If you don’t think you have wronged, you won’t feel you need forgiveness.
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;


a. To be forgiven, you must be forgiving.
Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Mat 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
Mat 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Or,
Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Sometimes, we think we know better than God, and let things fester rather than letting our grievance be known. This will lead to resentment, and broken fellowship over something that a brother may not even be aware that he has offended.


b. Man must have a desire to go beyond the personal need to escape the burden of guilt brought on by sin. This is only to escape punishment. He must have a desire to see the harm, heartbreak and grief to the heart of God assuaged. This is Godly repentance. This is a desire to restore fellowship.
2 Cor 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.


4. It must be freely granted and unconditionally received. (It is often harder to accept (true) forgiveness than to grant it. This is a result of pride, self-righteousness
God freely offers forgiveness to whosever will, but only those willing to humble themselves and repent, will actually receive forgiveness.


5. The offer of Forgiveness is a result of the Price of Redemption, the atonement made by Jesus Christ on the Cross.
a. redemption satisfies the justice demanded by His righteousness.
b. Atonement satisfies His demands for righteousness.
c. Forgiveness satisfies His desire for fellowship.