Forgiving Others Their Offences: When you do not forgive others their offences, you bring great sorrow upon yourself; and anger causes illnesses, and stress, which will bring on undue worries. Luke 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. You are to forgive others at all times and in all places; for if you do not believe the prophets and the scriptures, which they had written, the Lord said you would not be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Luke 17:1 Luke 17:2 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Date: 01/25/1013 www.stfrederick.com Page 1 of 15
Luke 17:3 Luke 17:4 Luke 17:5 Luke 17:6 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. (Who gets the advantage over you if you are unforgiving? In what way would Satan have an advantage? Why is it a greater sin to refuse to forgive others?) And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. When you withhold your forgiveness from those who offended you, you are attempting to impede and hinder their progress towards eternal salvation and returning to our Heavenly Father. When you do not forgive, you become like Satan or the Devil, and your reasons or intentions are not Christ like towards that person or persons. You are causing the slowdown of the progress of that person or persons and denying them the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. This attitude, thinking, or viewpoint, flooded with your impure motives that will destroy your own soul and theirs. Matthew 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Date: 01/25/1013 www.stfrederick.com Page 2 of 15
Matthew 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 2 Corinthians 2:9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. 2 Corinthians 2:10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. Date: 01/25/1013 www.stfrederick.com Page 3 of 15
How could you, not forgiving a murderer be a bigger sin than murder? How could you, not forgiving an adulterer, abuser of a spouse, or an abuser of children be a bigger sin than adultery, abuser, or child abuse? These sins, such as these are much greater than other sins, but if we do not forgive others, you poison your own soul and eternal happiness. Satan or the Devil uses an unforgiving spirit as a device to create a separation between you and others. 1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 1 Corinthians 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. Why is true compassion for others a sign and a great characteristic of a true saint and being Christ like? For true compassion is revealed and made known in real sorrow for their sufferings, in having pity for the offender, and sympathy for them, and in showing great mercy, forgiveness, helpfulness, tenderness, and kindness towards the offender. 2 Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. Jesus Christ tells you that once you have forgiven others there offences, and then latter, you are angry and full of hate for them, it is worse for you and your eternal happiness. Date: 01/25/1013 www.stfrederick.com Page 4 of 15
James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. You must be humble and faithful, and keep the spirit of the Lord. You need to repent and forgive, and you will be as white as snow or wool. Isaiah 1:18 Jeremiah 31:34 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. When the day comes, those who have offended you and they repent of that sin, the Lord will forgive them of that sin, but when you still have anger and hate in your heart, you become the greater sinner. Luke 7:40 Luke 7:41 Luke 7:42 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Date: 01/25/1013 www.stfrederick.com Page 5 of 15
Luke 7:43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. Is It Hard To Forgive: 2 Corinthians 3:16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. When you repent and forsake your sins, the vail will be lifted from your mind and heart and His spirit can dwell with you again. You need to keep your heart open to conviction of Jesus Christ and treat others as He would, so that when the Holy Ghost comes to you, your heart will be ready to receive Holy Ghost. So that you can tell the Spirit of the Lord from all other evil spirits. The Holy Ghost will whisper peace and joy to your soul. The Holy Ghost will take malice, hatred, strife, and all other evils from your heart. The Holy Ghost will teach you to desire to do good, bring forth righteousness and build up the kingdom of God. If you will follow that spirit of the Lord and you keep worthy. The Holy Ghost and the Spirit of the Lord will be with you. Earthly trials are nothing compared to eternal glories. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, wants the best for you, because they love you. Date: 01/25/1013 www.stfrederick.com Page 6 of 15
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. You having a godly sorrow for sin realized, and you have offended God and you desire to repent. But if you having a worldly sorrow, and still want to sin and will not repent. 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. Having a Godly Sorrow will lead you to repentance. When others are teasing you, abusing you, or picking on you, which seem so mean. You get angry and hate that person. Whether or not that person; asks for your forgiveness or not. You may not trust that person, to say, you forgive them. You may think it is a lie. Date: 01/25/1013 www.stfrederick.com Page 7 of 15
You may be very upset. You may not understand why Heavenly Father was doing this to you. What do you need to learn? The Lord will forgive whom He will, but for you it is required to forgive all who offends you. You know what to do. You need to let go of your pride and forgive, as well as ask for forgiveness for being so stubborn and being so prideful in your mind and heart. It may be hard, but asking for forgiveness brings peace to yourself and others around you. Forgiving someone you are not sure you can trust or someone who has been very mean to you. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ tell you it is very important that we forgive everyone, no matter how hard it might be, even yourself. Forgiving others and with an attitude of love and compassion toward those who have offended and wronged you, is the very real meaning of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. You are under a divinely obligation to show and give mercy and pardon others their faults against you. Date: 01/25/1013 www.stfrederick.com Page 8 of 15
When you contend with another and forgive not one another in your heart, you bring an evil upon yourself, which will afflict you and chasten you to the core with anger and hate, make you sick, and to lose your eternal place in heaven. Luke 6:35 Luke 6:36 Luke 6:37 Luke 6:38 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. For it is required of you to forgive all others. When you have love towards the one that offends you, you will be rewarded according to you deeds. Do not let molehills turn into mountains of arguments and hate, for that is the way of the world, through television, media, and music or the Devil. Do not let bitterness rule you. Date: 01/25/1013 www.stfrederick.com Page 9 of 15
Do not nurture your grudges and plan for retributions. Learn to work through your trials with the Lords help. If the matter is serious and need to be brought to the law or professional help and not for your personal nurtured grudges or for the gain of dollars, is important to do. Do not falsely accuse others for actions against you, which may cause embitterment in others. You or they may become obsessed with the grievances and can become desperately ill and die. You can brood over the evil done you, but the sooner you forgive the sooner you will feel peace and joy. For those who offended you can become a gnawing and destructive canker inside. It is not weakness to forgive. It is not strength or intelligence to brood in anger and hate over wrongs to you, which you suffered, and with vindictiveness, malice, or cruelty, but to forgive is greater. You will not have peace with anger. Can you afford to live your life every day in anger and hate, with bitter thoughts and scheming gestures for those who have offended you? When you receive bitter criticism, ridicule, or negative words, turn to the Lord and pray for His guidance through this trial, that you may find peace and joy. Do not be a fault finder for you will destroy your own soul. Date: 01/25/1013 www.stfrederick.com Page 10 of 15
If you are unwilling to forgive the simple mistakes others make, and unwilling to forget them, and have no mercy for them, finding faults, your love for them will dwindle. For it will turn to ashes. You will find yourself being lonely. With forgiveness and repentance you and they would find kindness and compassion. Forgiveness may not come quickly, but the more you repent, your eternal soul will rejoice in peace. Plead with your Heavenly Father for strength to forgive. Having the desire to forgive will be the very thing of your repentance. With forgiveness, a peace of mind will come into your heart. Matthew 6:14 Matthew 6:15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Heavenly Father wants you to repent of all your sins, for He will smite you by the rod of His mouth, and by His wrath, and by His anger, and your sufferings will be sore, how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yes, how hard to bear you know not. For, Jesus Christ has suffered all these things for you; that you might not suffer, if you would repent of your sins. Date: 01/25/1013 www.stfrederick.com Page 11 of 15
If you will not repent, then you must suffer as Jesus Christ has suffered. Which suffering caused Jesus Christ to tremble because of pain and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit? You need to walk in meekness of His spirit, and then you will find peace. Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. This means your offences to others and others offences to you. You have the power to rise above cutting words, planned grievance, scheming plans to get even, to those who have wronged you. When you reflect upon old wounds which bring back pain, you will find no peace. Matthew 5:7 Matthew 5:8 Matthew 5:9 Matthew 5:10 Matthew 5:11 Matthew 5:12 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Date: 01/25/1013 www.stfrederick.com Page 12 of 15
Show your strength to forgive and put aside your pride, your fear, your resentment, and all of your bitterness, so you can feel hope and the love of the Lord, for your efforts. Can you understand what forgiveness is not? Any form of forgiveness does not require condoning a wrong. Nor does forgiveness require allowing a harmful behavior, such as an abusive relationship to continue. When you forgive someone, you will likely have a memory of it, but you can hope for a better future. When you fail to forgive, it magnifies the pain. You do not want to relive the pain. When you resist the urge to blame others, it is the key to your ability to forgive. To be healed, you need to take responsibility for your own reactions to whatever is happening to you. Your humility is the opposite of your pride. According to your faith and humility, the Lord Jesus Christ will help you to stop blaming others. Be patient in your forgiving. You cannot change the past, but you can focus on today, which you have power over. Date: 01/25/1013 www.stfrederick.com Page 13 of 15
Heavenly Father is a perfect judge and He will judge the wicked for they cannot escape from His justice. You need to cast all of your burdens upon the Lord. With the Atonement of your Savior Jesus Christ made possible for you to find peace and joy in this life through the healing power of forgiveness. Do you have to forgive even if your friend or stranger remains cold, indifferent, and mean towards you? The answer is yes. One of the many errors you may have is that the offender must apologize and humble themselves to the ground before you give forgiveness. For the offended one, you must forgive the offender regardless of the attitude of the other person. That is not the way of the Lord and His gospel. Put your house in order, so the Holy Ghost and the spirit of the Lord may dwell there. Remember to love one another and love others as the Lord gives this power to you to show that love, for you will be the better person for that. Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Date: 01/25/1013 www.stfrederick.com Page 14 of 15
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen How long is Eternity? This life is very short compared to Eternity, this is a test for us here. Whether we live a few moments in the mother s womb or 150 years old, compared to the Eternities, this life is nothing, we are here to choose the right and marry and raise a family of children unto God. Families are forever with God. Date: 01/25/1013 www.stfrederick.com Page 15 of 15