STARTING POINTS FOR BILICAL FORGIVENESS.

In our strength, we can't. It's very hard to forgive, especially if we tend to pattern our forgiveness after God's model. The basis for practicing this difficult but meaningful approach to forgiveness, however, can be found in a value system born in the pages of the Bible. These values give us a place to begin.

FORGIVENESS ALWAYS BEGINS IN THE HEART OF GOD:
He is the ultimate example of what it means to move beyond vengeance towards the one guilty of causing him. It is God who takes the initiative to remove debts that are no longer owed. Even for God, such forgiveness would not be right and just if it were not for HIS plan to accept the shed blood of Christ as full payment for the legal debt of a repentant wrongdoer.

In order to truly forgive another person in a way that pleases and honors God, we must identify with Christ and His forgiveness, be motivated by His love, and be willing to follow His model of self-sacrifice. This forgiveness into two different kinds of motivation from the heart:

* The primary motivation to forgive should be faithful trust in God.
* The secondary motivation should be a loving concern for the wrongdoer.

This is what godly love inspires. Releasing offenders from the wrong they have done allows them to move past their guilt and the alienation they have caused. It merely tries to deal with wrong in a way that reflects the loving concerns of the heavenly Father.

FORGIVENESS SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO SPARING THE WRONGDOER FROM PAIN:
Godly correction and restoration are often very painful.
"If God really loves us, wouldn't He seek to protect us and shield us from pain?" The answer is, "Not necessarily." Because He is both infinitely wise and thoroughly good. He knows that sometimes it is in the classroom of pain that we learn life's most valuable lessons.

FORGIVENESS BRINGS BENEFITS TO THE ONE WHO FORGIVES:
When healthy and appropriate forgiveness is offered, it brings significant benefits to the person who forgives and to the one being forgiven. There are measurable and long-lasting emotional improvements resulting from the meaningful forgiveness of a wrongdoer.
STARTING POINTS FOR BILICAL FORGIVENESS. In our strength, we can't. It's very hard to forgive, especially if we tend to pattern our forgiveness after God's model. The basis for practicing this difficult but meaningful approach to forgiveness, however, can be found in a value system born in the pages of the Bible. These values give us a place to begin. FORGIVENESS ALWAYS BEGINS IN THE HEART OF GOD: He is the ultimate example of what it means to move beyond vengeance towards the one guilty of causing him. It is God who takes the initiative to remove debts that are no longer owed. Even for God, such forgiveness would not be right and just if it were not for HIS plan to accept the shed blood of Christ as full payment for the legal debt of a repentant wrongdoer. In order to truly forgive another person in a way that pleases and honors God, we must identify with Christ and His forgiveness, be motivated by His love, and be willing to follow His model of self-sacrifice. This forgiveness into two different kinds of motivation from the heart: * The primary motivation to forgive should be faithful trust in God. * The secondary motivation should be a loving concern for the wrongdoer. This is what godly love inspires. Releasing offenders from the wrong they have done allows them to move past their guilt and the alienation they have caused. It merely tries to deal with wrong in a way that reflects the loving concerns of the heavenly Father. FORGIVENESS SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO SPARING THE WRONGDOER FROM PAIN: Godly correction and restoration are often very painful. "If God really loves us, wouldn't He seek to protect us and shield us from pain?" The answer is, "Not necessarily." Because He is both infinitely wise and thoroughly good. He knows that sometimes it is in the classroom of pain that we learn life's most valuable lessons. FORGIVENESS BRINGS BENEFITS TO THE ONE WHO FORGIVES: When healthy and appropriate forgiveness is offered, it brings significant benefits to the person who forgives and to the one being forgiven. There are measurable and long-lasting emotional improvements resulting from the meaningful forgiveness of a wrongdoer.
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