THE MINISTRY OF FORGIVNESS 8-14 2000
The Greek word for forgiveness often is translated to mean to send forth or away, to let go from ones self, to let go from one’s power, protection, to let go from our attention, to resume our life free from offense. Forgiveness is an act of faith. Emotions may come and go but we make a decision to let go.
2 Cor 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), AMP
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2 COR 10:4-5 For although we live in the natural realm, we don’t wage a military campaign employing human weapons, using manipulation to achieve our aims. Instead, our spiritual weapons are energized with divine power to effectively dismantle the defenses behind which people hide.
5 We can demolish every deceptive fantasythat opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thoughtand insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One. TPT
2 Cor 2:10 If you forgive anyone anything, I too forgive that one; and what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sakes in the presence [and with the approval] of Christ (the Messiah),
11 To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions. AMP
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2 COR 2:10-11 If you freely forgive anyone for anything, then I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I did so for you before the face of Christ,
11 so that we would not be exploitedby the adversary, Satan, for we know his clever schemes. TPT
John 20:23 “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?” MSG
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JN 20:23 I send you to preach the forgivenessof sins—and people’s sins will be forgiven. But if you don’t proclaim the forgiveness of their sins, they will remain guilty. TPT
Mark 11:25 And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive — only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.” MSG
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MK 11:25-26 And whenever you stand praying,if you find that you carry something in your heart against another person, release him and forgive himso that your Father in heaven will also release you and forgive you of your faults. 26 But if you will not release forgiveness, don’t expect your Father in heaven to release you from your misdeeds.” TPT
Matt 6:14 “In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others.
15 If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part. MSG
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MATT 6:14-15 “And when you pray, make sure you forgive the faults of others so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you.
15 But if you withhold forgiveness from others, your Father withholds forgiveness from you.” TPT
MATT 18:22 The lessons of forgiveness in heaven’s kingdom realm can be illustrated like this: “There once was a king who had servants who had borrowed money from the royal treasury. He decided to settle accounts with each of them.
24 As he began the process, it came to his attention that one of his servantsowed him one billion dollars,So he summoned the servant before him and said to him, ‘Pay me what you owe me.’
25 When his servant was unable to repay his debt, the king ordered that he be sold as a slave along with his wife and children and every possession they owned as payment toward his debt.
26 The servant threw himself facedown at his master’s feet and begged for mercy. ‘Please be patient with me. Just give me more time and I will repay you all that I owe.’
27 Upon hearing his pleas, the king had compassion on his servant, and released him, and forgave his entire debt.
28 “No sooner had the servant left when he met one of his fellow servants, who owed him twenty thousand dollarsHe seized him by the throat and began to choke him, saying, ‘You’d better pay me right now everything you owe me!’
29 His fellow servant threw himself facedown at his feet and begged, ‘Please be patient with me. If you’ll just give me time, I will repay you all that is owed.’
30 But the one who had his debt forgiven stubbornly refused to forgive what was owed him. He had his fellow servant thrown into prison and demanded he remain there until he repaid the debt in full.
31 “When his associates saw what was going on, they were outraged and went to the king and told him the whole story.
32 The king said to him, ‘You scoundrel!Is this the way you respond to my mercy? Because you begged me, I forgave you the massive debt that you owed me.
33 Why didn’t you show the same mercy to your fellow servant that I showed to you?’
34 In a fury of anger, the king turned him over to the prison guards to be tortured until all his debt was repaid.
35 In this same way, my heavenly Father will deal with any of you if you do not release forgiveness from your hearttoward your fellow believer.” TPT
EHP 4:32 But instead be kindand affectionate toward one another. Has God graciously forgiven you? Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love. TPT
2 Cor 5:19 God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing.
20 We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you. MSG
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2 COR 5:19-20 In other words, it was through the Anointed One that God was shepherding the world, not even keeping records of their transgressions, and he has entrusted to us the ministry of opening the door of reconciliation to God.
20 We are ambassadorsof the Anointed One who carry the message of Christ to the world, as though God were tenderly pleadingwith them directly through our lips. So we tenderly plead with you on Christ’s behalf, “Turn back to God and be reconciled to him.” TPT
Gal 6:1 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. MSG
Forgiveness means different things to different people. Generally, however, it involves a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge.
Prov 20:22 Don’t ever say, “I’ll get you for that!” Wait for God; he’ll settle the score. MSG
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PRO 20:22 Don’t ever say, “I’m going to get even with them if it’s the last thing I do!” Wrap God’s grace around your heart and he will be the one to vindicate you. TPT
Rom 12:21 Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
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ROM 12:21 Never let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good. TPT
Luke 7:47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, many [as they are], are forgiven her — because she has loved much. But he who is forgiven little loves little. ▼▼▼
LUKE 7:47 She has been forgiven of all her many sins. This is why she has shown me such extravagant love. But those who assume they have very little to be forgiven will love me very little.” TPT
Matt 6:12 Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. MSG
Matt 12:7 And if you had only known what this saying means, I desire mercy [readiness to help, to spare, to forgive] rather than sacrifice and sacrificial victims, you would not have condemned the guiltless. AMP
Matt 18:21 At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?”
22 Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven. MSG
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MATT 18:21-22 Later Peter approached Jesus and said, “How many times do I have to forgive my fellow believer who keeps offending me? Seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “Not seven times, Peter, but seventy times seven times. TPT
Col 3:13 Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.
14 And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. MSG
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COL 3:13-14 Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them.
14 For love is supreme and must flow through each of these virtues. Love becomes the markof true maturity. TPT
Acts 13:38 So let it be clearly known and understood by you, brethren, that through this Man forgiveness and removal of sins is now proclaimed to you; AMP
Ps 32:6 For this [forgiveness] let everyone who is godly pray — pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely when the great waters [of trial] overflow, they shall not reach [the spirit in] him. AMP
Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor, AMP
PROV 17:9 Love overlooks the mistakes of others, but dwelling on the failures of others devastates friendships. TPT
James 1:19 Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear.
20 God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger.
21 So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life. MSG
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James 1:19 Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.
20 For man’s anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires].
21 So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls. AMP
PS 103:2-2 Yahweh, you are my soul’s celebration. How could I ever forget the miracles of kindness you’ve done for me?
3 You kissed my heart with forgiveness, in spite of all I’ve done. You’ve healed me inside and out from every disease. TPT