Welcome to day 31 of our 40 day countdown to Easter 2019! Total Forgiveness. Today’s blog comes from a sermon that I read by Barry Seagren (193), “Forgiveness – “Joseph and His Brothers”. Seagren has squeezed the wine from the revelation on forgiveness that we all need to visit. I believe God wants us to go deeper with our understanding of forgiveness.
Some of you will be set free after reading Seagren’s 10 practical points about forgiveness.
Below is an outline of the 10 practical points on forgiveness, but I strongly urge you to read the sermon for a greater in depth study of each of the points:
Forgiveness can be a long process.
Forgiveness is not dependent upon confession.
Forgiveness does not require an agreed version of the past.
Forgiveness means letting go of my natural right to revenge.
Forgiving does not mean forgetting.
Forgiveness means not bringing it up again.
Forgiveness does not mean excusing the behavior of the other person.
Forgiveness is easier when we rest in God’s providence.
Forgiveness does not always mean re-trusting.
Forgiveness is incomplete until love replaces anger.
Seagren ends with three things that we must relinquish to walk in what I call total forgiveness: 1) let go of revenge; 2) commit ourselves not to bring the matter up again; and 3) do our best not to encourage and cultivate our anger (Seagren, B. 1993).
Forgiveness requires that we obey God’s way over our own selfish thoughts. When I think about God’s love for me, how He has forgiven me for my sins, forgiving others comes naturally easier.
BIBLE STUDY
Read Genesis Chapter 50
Read the following sermon, “Forgiveness – “Joseph and His Brothers” by Barry Seagren: http://www.labri.org/england/resources/05052008/BS01_Forgiveness.pdf.
LET’S PRAY…
Lord, forgive me for my debts even as you have forgiven those who have sinned against me. Strengthen me by your Holy Spirit to let go of revenge. I commit myself not to bring the matter up again, and I will do my best not to encourage and cultivate my anger, in the name of Jesus, amen.
~Inspiring hope and seasoning faith, Dr. Regina M. Daigre