PursuitofHoliness1Cor924′s Blog

Forgiving

April 17, 2009 at 4:52 am (Uncategorized)

So today in discipleship we talked about forgiveness.  We are reading through “Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health” by Donald Whitney.  It’s a wonderful (and super convicting) book and I highly recommend it! 

We read chapter 9 titled “Are You a Quick Forgiver?”.  For me the title itself was a good place to start!  The question just really struck me and honestly, I’m not!   So here are a few quotes from the book the chapter that really hit home for me.

“The Unforgiving spirit…is the number one killer of spiritual life.”  –James Coulter

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.  But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26″  I’ve read this verse a million times, but Whitney talks about how he would spend time praying during his devotionals and realize that he was holding such a strong grudge against someone that he couldn’t even pray because he knew that His Father had not forgiven him because he had not yet forgiven.  And I thought of how often I do the very same thing.  How dare I go before the Lord and ask for his blessings when I am still in sin and have not yet repented?!

“When God makes of us ‘a new creation’ (2 Corinthians 5:17), He gives us a disposition to love and obey His will (as in Psalm 40:8).  And this heart desire to do God’s will–such as to forgive–beats within us even during the times when we sinfully resist it.”

“What Christians should always do, as Jesus exemplified in His prayer, is be ready to forgive.  And then, when forgiveness is sought, forgiveness can be extended.  Yes, we ought to release our sinful bitterness and hatred whether the offender ever seeks forgiveness.  Some equate this decision with forgiveness itself.  In reality though, this is only getting ready, being willing to forgive.”

“We can always think of some ‘good’ reason why in any particular cas we need not forgive.  But that is always and error.” –Leon Morris

“Take heed to yourselves.  If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.  And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven  times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent’, you shall forgive him.” Luke 17:34

“Be careful that you do not think you have forgiven just because you have forgotten.”

“Everyone thinks forgiveness is a lovely idea, until he has something to forgive.” –C.S. Lewis

“Probing the Heart”:                                                   

1.Are you ready to forgive? (Is there anyone you are not ready to forgive?)

2. Do you need to initiate the process of forgiveness with anyone?

3. Do you love forgiveness?