Sunday, January 20, 2008

• Is unconditional, based on grace rather than based on whether we deserve it or not
• Is always my initiative - I should always give forgiveness whether it is asked or not
• Does not minimise the seriousness of the offence. Minimising the offence cheapens forgiveness. If one says "It's okay", it does not need forgiveness. Provb 26:18-19.
• Isn't resuming a relationship without any change. Because forgiveness is given by grace, resuming the relationship is to be done by the offender, and needs: a) Genuine repentence b) Restitution/ restoration c) Trust to be rebuild (Forgiveness and trust are different)
• Isn't forgetting what has happened. To forget something, we have to refocus on something else. E.g. By saying I'm trying to forget about my ex means that you are bring reminding yourself what you are trying to forget!
• Isn't your right when you are not the one being hurt (the victim).

Why We Forgive

• If I don't forgive, I won't be forgiven by God.
• God has forgiven us.
• Forgiving releases past hurts & bitterness - Before God gives us the 'new wine', we need to change to 'new wine skins'!
• Renewal: Replace/ repair something that has worn out.
• We need to stop playing the 'Blame Game'. Life is 10% what happened and 90% how we react to it.
• Your values: What is most important to you, what you stand for (conviction), what you are willing to pay the price for.
• Hebrews 12:16. If we value things based on circumstances, we forget the real priorities in life. This makes you place importance on what is momentary.

A time management lecturer was giving a lecture to some students on how they can plan their time.

As a demostration, he took out a big jar and started filling it with rocks. The rocks quickly reached the top of the jar, with lots of empty spaces in between. He asked the class, "Is the jar is full?" to which the students replied confidently, "Yes".

But the consultant shook his head and took out gravel and started to pour it into the jar.

The gravel filled the space between the rocks, and he asked the class again, "Is the jar full?" The class knew that there was more to it, and so they answered no.

The lecturer smiled and nodded. He then took out a bucket of sand and poured it into the jar. The sand filled the spaces between the rocks and gravel. Then he turned to the class and asked yet again "Is the jar full?" The students not knowing what to expect, but knowing that there was more than what meets the eye, said no. So, the lecturer took out a jug of water and started pouring into the jar until the jar was full.

At the end of it all, he asked, "What did you learn from the demostration?"

A hand shot up and the student answered, "There're always more things you can add to your schedule to maximise your time." Heads started nodding in agreement in the classroom.

The lecturer paused and said,"No."

"It means you need to put the big rocks in before you put the gravel, the sand, and water into the jar. Otherwise, the big rocks will never fit into the jar. So, if unless you factor in the most important things in your life first, you will let everything else rule you instead, and you will not find time for the what should be your priorities in your life."

How do I Forgive People?

1. Give up your right to get even. Romans 12:19 - Let God avenge for you instead!
2. Learn how to set bounderies in life. Bounderies are not walls, but walls with gates that allow good and bad people to come into your life.
3. Learn to respond to evil with good. Luke 6:27-28
4. Repeat the above steps as long as necessary. There is not time limit to forgiveness. Learn to release it to God.

Our life changes only when our thinking changes!

Is there anyone that you need to forgive? If you can't think of anyone, ask God if there is anyone you need to forgive! :)

- suatwei

Labels: Forgive, Forgiveness, Priorities, Rocks, Saturday, Sermons

Leaving a foot step - 1:28 PM