Forgiveness: The Freedom of the GospelSample

The Protocols of Forgiveness

(Part 1)

Protocols are the rules or conventions of correct behavior in official or ceremonial occasions. Kingdoms and governments function within a set of recognized procedures that govern how things are accomplished. In the Kingdom of Heaven there are certain protocols associated with forgiveness. There’s nothing magical to the words we use. We’ve found that there’s a basic order of forgiving that works most effectively, although we have sometimes switched up the order based upon the leading of the Holy Spirit at the time. However, we do find that when these seven protocols are applied from an open heart the miracle of freedom takes place automatically. Today we will examine the first 5 protocols.

It is important that you declare the protocols out loud and preferably pray through them with someone. A decision is codified when it is declared verbally. “...for with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (Romans 10:10 ESV) “Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.” (James 5:16) 

1. Thank God for forgiving you. 

This is the protocol of gratitude where we recognize that we are the first servant who has been forgiven an insurmountable debt in the Matthew 18 story. Whatever anyone has done to us pales in comparison to all we have been forgiven for by God. Therefore, the first protocol is to thank God for sending His Son to die on the Cross to pay for our sins and to rise from the grave so as to give us His life.

2. Repent of your sin of unforgiveness.

Unforgiveness is a sin. It’s not a bad idea, it’s a sin. It is one of the most harshly disciplined sins a believer can commit. Our responsibility when we sin is to repent, to “change our mind” and acknowledge we were wrong to not forgive. Repentance involves confessing our sin of unforgiveness to God and declaring that we now understand that the blood of Jesus is enough to cover any sin that wounds us. 

3  Ask God, “Who do I need to forgive and for what?” 

Most often, the wounds that drive our torment happen early in our lives and are buried deep inside of us. The Holy Spirit knows which wounds that are causing us the torment that we need to forgive. All we have to do is ask Him and listen. He will tell us because He wants us to be free.  

4. Forgive each offense from your heart. 

Why do we forgive from our heart? Because that is where we were wounded. Jesus says in Matthew 18:35 “So shall my Heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” Every wound, even a physical one, affects our heart.

• “Lord, I choose to forgive ______ from my heart for _______.
• “Lord, is there anything else I need to forgive ________ for?”
• “I declare ______ is no longer in my debt. I transfer their debt to the Cross where Jesus paid it all.”

5. Ask God to bless them and look for ways to bless them when possible. 

If you cannot bless someone, you have not forgiven them. Unforgiveness wants vengeance; “they must pay!” Forgiveness wants blessing; “I want them to gain!” It is “the kindness of God that leads us to repentance.” (Romans 2:4) While we were still His enemies, God blessed us with the greatest blessing of all: the death of his Son to pay for our sins. Therefore, we are to ask God to bless the person who wounded us. Bless them in the areas in which they wounded you. If they betrayed you, ask God to give them a loyal friend. If they stole from you, ask God to bless their finances. Be generous because God has generously blessed you. 

Work through these protocols with the Lord and you will find freedom from the torment! 

Next will discover how to live in this newfound freedom!