Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not free

What is the symbol for forgiveness?

Some might think that the symbol for forgiveness is the cross because Jesus gave his life to forgive us. Roughly Jesus forgave 100,000,000,0000 people because people have calculated there to be that many people that have lived on the earth altogether.

A Dutch lady called Corrie Ten Boom and her sister Betsie were taken to concentration camp during WW2 where Betsie died. Then many years later she met a man from the concentration camp who she recognised as the Nazi guard who had treated her sister badly. God helped her to shake his hand and forgive him.

Forgiveness Story

One day a servant was called by his King, he knew what he had done wrong and he hoped that the King was in a good mood. “Where is my money?” bellowed the King, "don't worry I have your million pounds” mumbled the servant. The King said “don’t worry I forgive you, you can keep the money.”

Later the servant saw a man without a home he shouts “give me back my pound” “ sorry please forgive me I have not got it” said the homeless man. The servant hit the man and walked off. When the King heard this he was cross and he put the man in jail.

Matthew 18 vs21-35

The Unforgiving Servant

*If someone is mean to you forgive them and they and you will feel better and people will want to forgive others because they know it feels nice.

*Forgiveness helps you be free. It is a relief when you forgive others and they forgive you.

*God will forgive us if we say sorry and mean it.

*Not forgiving people stops you from being happy because you can’t forget it and you hold it in your heart. It is like an earworm – you keep thinking about it.

*When people learn to forgive other people the world will be a better place.

*Forgiving is to wipe the slate clean

*Happiness, peace, forgiveness and love all aren’t on sale or available in shops (even if they were they would have sold out a billion years ago) because they are so special and precious. These most precious things come from God.

*Ephesians 4 vs 32 – Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.

My thoughts on forgiveness

Our Father, who art in heaven Hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come Thy will be done On earth as it is in heaven Give us this day, our daily bread Forgive us our trespasses As we forgive those who trespass against us Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory Forever and ever Amen

The Lord’s Prayer