Summary

Bible Forgiveness

It is hard to forgive. Depending on how bad the hurt is, some cannot ever forgive a wound that comes from things like adultery and abuse.

How to forgive, I don't know

How can I let this anger go?

How many times be still and turn away?

Here with these hands I want to fight,

Here in my heart I know what is right!

Here on my knees I hold my heart and say--

Take from me now all my bitter blaming;

Lift from my soul all this sin that's shaming me,

Give me, Lord a heart that's more than mine.

Bless me this day now to cease demanding.

Let this poor heart now more understanding be.

Oh, give me Lord a heart like thine.

Help me to see with eyes more pure,

Help me to speak with lips of love,

Though I am wronged find strength to rise above.

Bless me this day now to cease demanding,

Let this poor heart now more understanding be.

Oh, give me Lord a heart like thine.

Help me to put my burden down

Lighten my soul and let me live,

Grant me the gift to say'

"I will forgive".

Carol Lynn Pearson

I heard this song and immediately wanted to learn it and make it part of me. I sung it to my friend who wrote it out for me. It summarizes the struggle we all must do. We must have God's miracle of forgiveness.

The Bible has 8 points that I have found in the forgiveness process. They are not all to be used at once but all are God's ways of working through the process of forgiving some one. Some things are small and easy to forgive. Other things hurt for the whole life time. Only God can heal and help you to forgive. Here are eight of His recommendations. If you do all of them, you will discover over time, the miracle of forgiveness will happen in your heart.

I. Quiet

"In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." Is 30:15
Like Moses, endure the pain as though actually seeing Him who is invisible (Hebrews 11:27)
Jesus stood calmly before his enemies and was quiet.
There is a noble majesty in the silence of one exposed to evil surmising or outrage. To be master of one's spirit is to be stronger than kings or conquerors. 3BC 1160

II. SING

Look what the helpless Israelites did while expecting God to help them.
Lord, we do not know what to do but we look to You for help, we stand before you with our infants and our children...The battle is the Lord's, you will not have to fight. Believe His prophets...When they began to sing, the Lord threw the invading armies into panic. They turned on each other savagely. 2 Chronicles 20:12

III. PRAY

"Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you." Luke 6:28.
"And the Lord turned the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends." Job 42:10
"Ask God to bless those who persecute you. Bless them; don't curse them." Romans 12:14

IV. POSITIVE FOCUS

Direct your focus to the positive good traits in the offender.
Forgiveness is not possible when you dwell on the faults of the offender.
Do not "call any man common or unclean" Acts 10:28
"Accept each other in the Lord the same way Christ has accepted you, and do it for the glory of God." Romans 15:7

These must not allow hatred to enter the heart, or permit unkind feelings to arise when they look upon those who have injured them. Do not talk about them, nor injure their influence, but leave them in the hands of a just God, who judges all men righteously. While they are not reconciled to their companions, they are not reconciled to God. SD 90

V. ENCOURAGE

Encourage one another and build each other up. Romans 15:2
There are many who make mistakes and feel their shame and folly. They feel foolish for how they acted.. They are hungry for words of encouragement. They look upon their mistakes and errors until they feel desperate. Maybe they think God will never forgive them. They need hope and comfort. You can encourage them.

VI. SEEK TO DO THEM GOOD

"Do good to those who hate you." Luke 6:27

VII. LOVE

"Love each other sincerely, not hypocritically." Romans 12:9
"Love your enemies." Luke 6:27
Love is a silken cord which binds hearts together. RH

VIII. NEVER STOP FORGIVING through MULTIPLE ATTACKS

"To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either." Luke 6:29

I guess that means if your coat is taken, give your overcoat too.

"If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you saying, I repent, you shall forgive him." Luke 17:4
"Up to seventy times seven" Mathew 18:21