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FREED TO FORGIVE. SOME BIBLICAL PRIORITIES. BIBLICAL COMMANDS TO FORGIVE AND LOVE ENEMIES. Matt. 6:14-15 Mark 11:25 Matt. 5:43-45a We forgive whether they deserve it or not . THE CYCLE OF JUSTICE MUST BE COMPLETED. Gal. 6:7 The desire for justice is a God-given sentiment
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FREED TO FORGIVE SOME BIBLICAL PRIORITIES
BIBLICAL COMMANDS TO FORGIVE AND LOVE ENEMIES • Matt. 6:14-15 • Mark 11:25 • Matt. 5:43-45a • We forgive whether they deserve it or not
THE CYCLE OF JUSTICE MUST BE COMPLETED • Gal. 6:7 • The desire for justice is a God-given sentiment • The laments and imprecatory Psalms • Sometimes we may hold back the call to forgive until wounds are impacted by grace
THE CYCLE OF JUSTICE MUST BE COMPLETED • Three Principles that lead to healing • Justice will be served, in this world or next • God will turn it to Good Rom. 8:28 • God’s love is greater than the wickedness faced Rom. 5:5 • To urge Accountability is ultimately an act of kindness • Heb 10:31
THE CYCLE OF JUSTICE MUST BE COMPLETED • Judgement is often presented as humiliation • Isa 5:15-16 • If the perpetrator repents: healing for the wounded through • Fruits of repentance • The knowledge that God’s spotless son was punished for it
CHRISTIANS AS SALT AND YEAST • Matt. 5:13 Salt • Matt 13:33 Yeast • Healed people can be agents of healing • We must contribute at the micro level • Some can contribute at a macro level
THE PLACE OF REPENTANCE OF THE PERPETRATOR • Luke 17:3 Context is of restoration to fellowship
RECONCILIATION REQUIRES WALKING IN THE LIGHT • 1 John 1:7 The context is accepting that we have sinned • Christians tend to focus on the relational aspect • The wounded... on the substantial aspect
THE BIBLICAL CONCEPT OF CORPORATE SOLIDARITY • There is wrong on both sides. • So we ask for forgiveness • We take responsibility for the sins of our own people • Dan. 9 • Neh. 1:6
DEVOUT CHRISTIANS MAY LOOK AT SAME ISSUES FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES • Sennacherib’s invasion of Judea 2 Kings 19 • Isaiah saw sovereignty of God • Micah saw destruction of cities • Jer. 29 letter to the exiles to thrive in Babylon • Psa 137 could not sing the Lord’s song in a strange land
DEVOUT CHRISTIANS MAY LOOK AT SAME ISSUES FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES • We can agree on basic issues—e.g. Justice • We may change our minds after listening to other side