When Forgiveness Doesn'tMake Sense - First Baptist Dallas

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When Forgiveness Doesn’t Make Sense Forgiving Without Forgetting J E R E M I A H 31 : 3 4

February 22, 2015 Introduction: “Forgive and forget” is a nice motto, but is actually impossible. Today, we will discover how to forgive those wrongs we can never forget.

I.

Two Dangers Of Confusing Forgiveness With Forgetting



A.

Short-Circuiting the Forgiveness Process

Hebrews 12:15 “See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.”



B.

Experiencing Unnecessary Guilt

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When Forgiveness Doesn’t Make Sense Forgiving Without Forgetting

II.

How God Forgets (Psalm 103:12; Jeremiah 31:34; Romans 4:7-8)

Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Jeremiah 31:34b “. . . for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” Micah 7:19 “He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities underfoot. Yes, Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Roman 4:7-8 “7 Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. 8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.” Colossians 2:13c-14 “13c…having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” 1 John 2:1b “…And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;”

III.

The Benefits Of Remembering Our Past Failures (1 Timothy 1:12-16)

1 Timothy 1:12-16 “12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service; 13 even though I was formally a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. And yet I was shown mercy, because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. 15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. 16 And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.”

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When Forgiveness Doesn’t Make Sense Forgiving Without Forgetting

A. Encourages Gratitude (1 Timothy 1:12)

1 Timothy 1:12 “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service;” B. Extinguishes Pride (1 Timothy 1:5)

1 Timothy 1:5 “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” 1 Peter 5:5b “…God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” C. Exhibits Grace (1 Timothy 1:16)

1 Timothy 1:16 “And yet for this reason, I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.”

IV.

What To Do When Memories Won’t Go Away

A. Release Them, if Possible (Proverbs 19:11)

Proverbs 19:11 “A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.”

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When Forgiveness Doesn’t Make Sense Forgiving Without Forgetting

B. Recall Your Own Failures (Matthew 7:1-3)

Matthew 7:1-3 “1 Do not judge lest you be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” C. Remember Your Past Act of Forgiveness (1 Corinthians 9:1-11)

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:11 “And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.” D. Realize That Healing Memories Takes Time

Conclusion

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