• Pride; envy; bitterness (they still have the power over you); arrogance; makes you vulnerable

It takes the work of God to mold our hearts and minds in such a way that we can forgive.

Here’s the key to forgiveness: We have been forgiven.

There is the conundrum: we forgive because God forgave us?

1. Where do we start to learn how to forgive on purpose?

1st We must understand God’s gift of forgiveness to us.

• How can you forgive if you haven’t experienced the forgiveness of God?

2nd We must walk in that state of forgiveness.

Note: Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV Be kind and show compassion

3rd We must purpose to forgive each other.

We will forgive when we learn to be kind and compassionate (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV).

In order to be able to forgive someone we must:

• Experience God’s forgiveness ourselves; we must act as one who is forgiven; we must purpose to show that forgiveness to others

1. Why then is it so hard?

1. Inside our fallen, broken human nature there is a hunger, thirst, a driving force to get the revenge that we feel will justify the hurt that we feel.
2. We believe it is our right and we hope it will give us peace

Truth is that without the transforming, remaking of God’s presence in our hearts and minds, we will revert to our natural instinct – hurt back.

Side note: Remember these truths:

• Anger turned inward becomes bitterness; bitterness turned outward becomes revenge; revenge leads to pain, hurt and death

Forgiveness on purpose doesn’t’ mean we overlook and ignore sin.

• Romans 6:23 “For the wages (natural result) of sin is death”

But it does mean that we purpose to be kind, compassionate and Godlike in our actions.

Purpose today to:

• Be forgiven by God through Jesus’ work on the cross; allow the Holy Spirit to begin to help you overcome your desire to seek revenge upon those who have hurt you; extend forgiveness, clothed in compassion and kindness; in order to find the peace that you have been looking for all this time