Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone… 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. New International Version
The Fruit of Bitterness
· Critical Spirit
· Hypersensitivity
· Ungrateful attitude
· Hold grudges
"When we don't forgive, it's like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die"
Forgiven people can forgive people
Colossians 1:21 This includes you who were once so far away from God. You were his enemies and hated him and were separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions, yet now he has brought you back as his friends. The Living Bible
Colossians 1:22 He has done this through the death on the cross of his own human body, and now as a result Christ has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are standing there before him with nothing left against you - nothing left that he could even chide you for; The Living Bible
Colossians 3:13 Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. The Message Bible
Closed – They apologize for what they did
Usually end up being closer friends
Opened – They won’t apologize for what they did
Won’t be able to continue a friendship
What closed forgiveness looks like
Luke 17:3 So watch yourselves. “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” New International Version
What open forgiveness looks like
Acts 7:59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 He fell to his knees, shouting, "Lord, don't charge them with this sin!" And with that, he died. New Living Translation
Romans 12:18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD. New Living Translation-SE
Don’t share the wrong done
1 Peter 4:8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. New Living Translation-SE
Pray for them
Matthew 5:43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! New Living Translation-SE
Bless them
Luke 6:27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. New International Version
1 Peter 3:8 Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. 9 That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless - that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing. Message Translation
The Bible way to bless a person
Numbers 6:23 "Tell Aaron and his sons, this is how you are to bless the People of Israel. Say to them, 24 GOD bless you and keep you, 25 GOD smile on you and gift you, 26 GOD look you full in the face and make you prosper. 27 In so doing, they will place my name on the People of Israel - I will confirm it by blessing them." Message Translation
Lord I ask you to bring _______ to a place where they see Jesus as savior and fully submit to Him.
Bless, protect, guard, and keep them in every area of their life.
May your grace, kindness, mercy, favor and prosperity come upon them and flood their life!
Lord, pay attention to them and bring peace to every area of their life.
May they become a light to your glory and name! Thank you for filling me with your love for them!