“Forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.” Matt. 6:12 (NLT)

"Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?’” Matt. 18:21 (NIV)

"Jesus answered, ‘...not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’"  Matt. 18:22 (NIV)

WHY MUST I RELEASE THOSE WHO’VE HURT ME?
Matt.  18 -Story of the Unforgiving Servant

 

1.         BECAUSE GOD FORGIVES ME  
            "The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.”  Matt. 18:27 (NIV)

            "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  Eph. 4:32 (NIV)

2.         RESENTMENT IS SELF-TORTURE        
            "‘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...” Matt. 18:33-34 (NIV)

            “Some men stay happy until the day they die...  others have no happiness at all; they live and die with bitter hearts.”  Job 21:23-25 (GN)

3.         I HAVE TO RELEASE THEM BECAUSE I NEED FORGIVENESS EVERY DAY
            “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”  Matt. 18:35 (NIV)

            “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.”  Matt. 6:14-15 (NIV)

HOW DO I RELEASE MY HURT?

I LEAVE IT  TO GOD                                                         

“...Never avenge yourselves.  Leave that to God, for he has said that he will repay those Who deserve it…”  Rom 12:19 (LB)