1. God’s forgiveness is gracious but not free.

2. God’s forgiveness is conditional. Only those who repent and believe are saved.

3. God’s forgiveness is a commitment.

4. Forgiveness lays the groundwork for and begins the process of reconciliation.

5. Forgiveness does not mean the elimination of all consequences.

Definition
“God’s forgiveness: A commitment by the one true God to pardon graciously those who repent and believe so that they are reconciled to him, although this commitment does not eliminate all consequences.” (pg. 51)

Colossians 1:13–14 (ESV) – He (God) has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

When we don’t embrace God’s forgiveness we seek to find substitutes.

Two common substitutes…
1. I need to forgive God

Thinking you have to forgive God is the ultimate form of blame shifting – instead of seeing the brokenness of our lives, and the world in which we live, as a result of our sin, we view it as stemming from the weakness of God. We constantly seek to blame.

“While it is true that it is difficult to understand suffering, the reason that we suffer is because humanity has rebelled against God. Although God is sovereign and in control of all things, he is not morally at fault for evil. …To be sure, there are times when we are tempted to be angry with God for the pain and suffering we face. This was Job’s struggle. But ultimately, to the extent that Job blamed God for his suffering, he repented. He did not ‘forgive’ God.” (Pg. 68)

Second substitute…
2. I need to forgive myself

Prayer…
God, I embrace the forgiveness you offer by grace through faith. I confess my sin and turn to you. I believe your forgiveness is full and complete. There is nothing more needed because there is nothing and no one greater. I rest and find strength for my soul in your complete forgiveness and reconciliation. By the power of your Spirit, help me to represent you well by standing ready to forgive anyone who repents of their sin against me and by quickly seeking forgiveness of anyone I sin against; thereby, pursuing reconciliation to the praise of your glory.

Definition
“God’s forgiveness: A commitment by the one true God to pardon graciously those who repent and believe so that they are reconciled to him, although this commitment does not eliminate all consequences.” (pg. 51)

Our forgiveness
“Forgiveness: A commitment by the offended to pardon graciously the repentant from moral liability and to be reconciled to that person, although not all consequences are necessarily eliminated.” (pg. 55)

Matthew 6:11–15 (ESV) - Give us this day our daily bread, 12and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 14For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

As one who commits heinous sin against our holy God, yet is graciously forgiven by and reconciled to our holy God through confession of my faith and repentance, my forgiveness…

(God’s forgiveness is gracious but not free)
My forgiveness is gracious but not free.
Forgiveness cost God far more than it will ever cost me – and I choose to pay the price it requires to prepare and offer forgiveness to others. I give up my rights or whatever I may think I’m owed – to graciously forgive, as I have been graciously forgiven.

(God’s forgiveness is conditional. Only those who repent and believe are saved)
My forgiveness is conditional. Only those who repent will receive it.
I will prepare forgiveness toward others as God has prepared forgiveness toward me. I will live with a “disposition of grace” toward those who offend me. I commit to prayerful discernment of sin (clear violation of God’s will) versus matters of preference and conscience. I will not be easily offended by matters of preference and conscience. I will do my part by sharing with someone when I believe they have sinned against me and not sit back and expect them to know they have done so (Matthew 18:15-18). My forgiveness will be readily extended to anyone who repents and confesses their sin against me.

(God’s forgiveness is a commitment)
My forgiveness is a commitment to pardon others.
I will not dwell on what happened; I will not bring up what happened to use it against them; I will not gossip by talking to others about it; I will not let what happened stand between us or hinder our personal relationship.

(Forgiveness lays the groundwork for and begins the process of reconciliation)
My forgiveness is the beginning of reconciliation with the one who sinned against me.
I will pursue reconciliation with the one I commit to forgive and prayerfully seek the wisdom and discernment of the Spirit in this endeavor.

(Forgiveness does not mean the elimination of all consequences)
My forgiveness does not mean all consequences are automatically removed.
I commit to forgive and prayerfully seek the wisdom and discernment of the Spirit in resulting consequences of sin as the relationship is reconciled.

Luke 17:1–10 (ESV) - And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. 3Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” 5The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7“Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? 8Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ ”

Discussion Questions
1. Review the 5 truths about God’s forgiveness. What are three blessings someone will experience by embracing God’s forgiveness and what are three struggles someone will experience by not embracing God’s forgiveness (nothing specific to “blessings” or “struggles” was in the message so just think of your own from a biblical perspective)?
2. What were mentioned as two common substitutes we turn to instead of embracing God’s forgiveness and why do we turn to these? Have you found either of these to be prominent in your belief about forgiveness to this point?
3. What is the relationship between forgiveness and feelings?
4. Discuss your thoughts on the definition of our interpersonal forgiveness given by Chris Brauns as he seeks to follow the example of God’s forgiveness toward us - “Forgiveness: A commitment by the offended to pardon graciously the repentant from moral liability and to be reconciled to that person, although not all consequences are necessarily eliminated” (pg. 55). Specifically, what role does humility play in living out God’s forgiveness between us?
5. Case scenario – discuss what God’s forgiveness looks like between these two parties:
John, a faithful follower of Jesus, is a proud father of a six year old daughter and 4 year old son. He and his wife have been lovingly married for eight years. They often speak of how much they enjoy their family life, express appreciation for God’s grace and provision toward them and the many years together that are yet to come. One evening, John was following his wife and two kids home from a school event when a drunk driver traveling nearly 90 mph crossed the center line and struck their car, thrusting them down a 30-foot embankment before coming to a stop. Not only did John witness the crash but he was the first one able to scurry down the embankment and try to rescue his family from the wreckage. John will certainly never forget what he saw. He could tell in a moment that it was likely none of them survived – which was the case. The drunk driver, on the other hand, survived and walked away with only a broken leg. Over time, the drunk man realized what he did. His regret was overwhelming to him and, while serving jail time, the only way he knew to express his regret was to write John a letter and communicate how sorry he was and ask John if he could possibly ever forgive him. So, six months after the accident, John received a letter in the mail and wept uncontrollably while at his kitchen table trying to read it.

There’s a great deal to “unpack” in this story. Think in terms of John’s initial response to the accident. Then, think in terms of the six-month period before the letter arrived, Then, finally, John’s response after receiving the letter. As a group, try to apply the five truths about God’s forgiveness to John’s journey. What would it possibly look like?