Experience and Express The Healing
Power Of Forgiveness
Forgiveness Redeems
Ephesians 1:7-10
We're forgiven on one basis only---the gracious
atoning work of God in Christ. Forgiveness isn't ours
because we're sorry we sinned nor because God loves us. That
would bypass the cross of Christ. We're forgiven "through
His blood.
It's "in Christ" that we're redeemed.
*To be redeemed is to be bought and paid for. Thank Jesus
for paying for the wages of your sin and for buying you a
perfect salvation---the exchange of His life for yours.
*A perfect sacrifice yields a perfect forgiveness. Thank Jesus
by agreeing with Him that you're perfectly forgiven.
Forgiveness Releases
Colossians 3:12-14
We can complain about others or forgive them. It seems
the two are mutually exclusive. God forgave us completely.
There's no "complaint" against us. Are we ready to do the
same for others?
*Who or what have you been complaining about lately?
Invite the Holy Spirit to guide you out of complaining
and into forgiving.
*Put feet to your forgiveness. Who do you need to bless
instead of curse?
Forgiveness Restores
Romans 8:1-4
God's forgiving work in Christ was so perfect, we no longer
need to be preoccupied with our guilt. We're freed from a
consciousness of sin so we might become conscious of our
indwelling Saviour. No longer separated from God and under the
condemnation of sin, we're restored to our place in God's
original design, sons and daughters who express His life.
*Pray the following. Because of Your perfect forgiveness
I am joined as one with You. I'm a new creation in Christ.
I receive and live by Your gracious love which is
steadfast and unceasing. I choose to see myself through Your eyes.
I renounce all false guilt and self-rejection and abandon
myself in You.
*Read the following to begin to see what God sees:
(John 1:12-13, 16; 15:5) (Rom. 8:16-17) (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:17)
(2 Cor. 5:17) (Eph. 1:3-4; 2:10) (Col. 2:10; 3:3) (2 Tim. 1:7)
(1 Pet. 2:9-10) (1 John 4:4,17)
*Pray to live from the center of who you really
are in Christ.
*Be who God says you are (not who you think you are
or others say you are).
Forgiveness Refreshes
Acts 3:17-20
As a cool drink on a hot summer day refreshes the outer
man, so the experience of forgiveness refreshes the inner
man. We abide in the refreshing presence of God as we live by
the unlimited supply of forgiveness in Christ, who is our life.
*Whether giving or receiving forgiveness, we're refreshed
throughout our being. Forgiving
or refusing to forgive affects all parts of our humanity.
*Pray for those you know who need to be refreshed by the
grace and mercy of God.
*Pray that Satan would have no ground in you because
of your refusal to give/receive forgiveness; for increased
awareness of the unlimited supply of forgiveness in Christ.
*Be a "cup-holder". Be ready to give a "cup of cold water",
a gift of "Living Water", to all who need refreshment.
(Don't forget to take a drink yourself!)
