What Forgiveness Is and Is Not

Great Bridge Free Will Baptist Church

What Forgiveness Is and Is Not

January 18, 2022 • Dr. Bruce Barnes

We probably all have some misgivings about how forgiveness actually works. How far should it
go, how is it done, and how can we be sure that we have forgiven as God expects and
commands? Clarification from the Bible is always what is needed to relieve such concerns.
According to Scripture, let’s consider what forgiveness is and what it is not.

The Foundation of Forgiveness

January 16, 2022 • Dr. Bruce Barnes

Before addressing our own ability to forgive, we must consider the inspiration for it, where the power to do so resides, and even why we should. That understanding comes from The Foundation of Forgiveness, which rests in God alone and the forgiveness received from Him. Only the one who knows God’s forgiveness personally can truly forgive in a way to fully restore joyful freedom in one’s personal life and with others. God’s forgiveness needs to be applied personally as well as understood inspirationally.

Forgiving Others

January 16, 2022 • Dr. Bruce Barnes

The biblical challenge here is not to belittle the hurts you might have gone through or still suffer because of offenses. Some of the issues you face might be much more devastating than others, and dealing with these will not be easy. However, please know that the approach to finding peace through forgiveness is the same for every person and situation.

Forgiving Ourselves

January 17, 2022 • Dr. Bruce Barnes

Do you sometimes beat yourself up over things from your past? Perhaps there are areas you’ve already confessed to the Lord and for which you’ve sought His forgiveness, but these still come back to plague you. You’ve been saved; you know the Lord. Yet, you find it hard to let yourself off the hook for your sins. Sometimes, one of the hardest things to face personally is forgiving yourself. It almost seems like you need to do something more to feel better about God’s forgiveness. We need to understand more about what causes our guilt, how to apply forgiveness to ourselves as intended, and how to dismiss the self-imposed shame not related to sin. May we now find encouragement in marking out a pathway for personal peace between the Lord and us.