Never forget, does that mean never

forgive?

Revenge Response

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

Romans 12:19Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:18

…for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.

Forgive, and you will be forgiven.Luke 6:37

Matthew 6:9-15“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Forgiveness naturally flows when we experience God’s forgiveness.

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 6:14-15

Jesus teaches us to pray that we will have a forgiving heart.

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Matthew 18:35

Jesus teaches us to forgive without being asked.

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Mark 11:25

Jesus teaches us to ask for forgiveness from others.

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 5:23-24

Forgive & Forget

John Calvin –“This, rather, is our forgiveness: willingly to cast from mind wrath, hatred, desire for revenge, and willingly to banish to oblivion the remembrance of injustice.”

Calvin’s Institutes III, Ch XX, 45, p.912,

Memory & Identity

• Memory of wrong

• Memory of forgiveness

• Which shapes you?

Matthew 6

12 …as we also have forgiven our debtors.

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Forgiven Forgiver