What Do We Forgive? by Brother Duke Hansen

         We are going to begin by turning to the book of Matthew chapter 6. We will begin at verse 14 and 15. The scripture is from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. He says in verse 14;

        For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you:

        But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.

        There are great heights to heaven and to righteousness, as well as seemingly bottomless depths to hell and despair. In the gospels, Jesus is talking about not just the church, but also the world, men, and women. Forgiveness does not come down to, "because I have to", nor has it ever worked that way in life. Your heart and your mind need to work together for it to truly be effective. 

        If you truly want to know if God has forgiven you in life, look how you have forgiven others for trespasses. There is a difference in forgiving others and being forgiven. You should ask yourself and be honest if you are better at giving than receiving? Giving is often easier than receiving. Spiritually you can forgive someone and not see any benefits to it until later.

        Let us look at James chapter 5 and verse 16; Confess your faults one to another,  and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Be wise and have boundaries. Healing ties into forgiveness and into admission. Here's a helpful reminder, do not hide your flesh from yourself.

        Now turn over to 1 Corinthians chapter 10 and verse 13; There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. God will help you. Human nature has the ability to just pile on that temptation onto his life and yet God is faithful in making a way for you to escape.

        Turn over towards Proverbs the 10th chapter and the 12th verse. Hatred stirrers up strifes: but love covereth all sins. If you find some extra time, look over in the book of Acts chapters 6-8 which is the short yet powerful story of Stephen begins in chapter 6 verse 8. Stephen was full of faith and power doing great wonders and miracles among the people. Verses 59 and 60 of chapter 7. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he said this, he fell asleep. Forgiveness changes your enemy. It is love covering the sin.

        One last selection to read here. Revelation chapter 3 verses 10 and 11. This is Jesus speaking to the church of Philadelphia here; Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.  Everyone who is not operating in forgiveness falls in the hour of temptation. The most powerful words man can ever give in his life are merely three words. I forgive you.