“Then Peter came up and said to Him, “Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times. “For this reason the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves. And when he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. But since he did not have the means to repay, his master commanded that he be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment be made. So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ And the master of that slave felt compassion, and he released him and forgave him the debt. But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe!’ So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ But he was unwilling, and went and threw him in prison until he would pay back what was owed. So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their master all that had happened. Then summoning him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ And his master, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he would repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:21-35 NASB

Why Must We Forgive Others?

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• Because God expects me to do for others as a He has done for us
  

And the master of that slave felt compassion, and he released him and forgave him the debt. Vs 27

“Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13 ERV

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• Because it is evidence that I have received forgiveness
  

Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ And his master, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he would repay all that was owed him. Vs 33-34

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• Because unforgiveness makes us miserable
  

What Forgiving Others Does Not Mean

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• Forgiving is not pretending
  

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• Forgiving is not forgetting
  

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• Forgiving is not the same as reconciliation
  

How To Forgive

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• Release it to God
  

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• Refuse to take revenge
  

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• Refuse to bring it up
  

Who Do I Need To Forgive?

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• The blame test: Who do I blame for my circumstances and unhappiness?
  

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• The bitterness test: Who am I keeping score with?
  

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• The behavior test: Who do I find myself reacting toward?