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Notes

All of us experience legitimate hurt and pain that’s unavoidable in a world where everyone is flawed.

Payback is “the way” we’ve been programmed to respond to hurt and pain. 

Payback may feel good, but it keeps us stuck in the never-ending loop of vengeance.

We’re born into a world where the normal ‘way’ to a good life is broken.

Good Life:

Good for me – even at the expense of you

Jesus’s way is often the opposite of the worlds’ way.

Is there a “way” that keeps us from getting stuck in payback’s never-ending loop of vengeance?

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children…”

“…of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.”

“If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.”

“Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times, Jesus replied, but seventy times seven!”

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Jesus teaches us “the way” to handle pain and hurt is to forgive as we’ve been forgiven.

Asking for mercy while giving payback is asking God to participate in our hypocrisy.

Forgiveness is not relabeling wrong