What Does Forgiveness Look Like?

Matthew 6:12

I. Introduction

II. Types of Forgiveness

III. What is Forgiveness?

“When we strive against all thoughts of revenge; when we will not do our

enemies mischief, but wish well to them, grieve at their calamities, pray for

them, seek reconciliation with them, and show ourselves ready on all occasions to relieve them.” (Thomas Watson)

1. Resisting revenge – Romans 12:19

2. Not returning evil for evil – I Thess. 5:15

3. Wishing them well – Luke 6:28

4. Grieving at their calamities – Prov. 24:17

5. Praying for their welfare – Matt. 5:44

6. Seek reconciliation – Romans 12:18

7. Coming to their aid – Exodus 23:4

IV. What Forgiveness is Not

1. Not the absence of anger

2. Not the absence of consequences

3. Not a feeling, not forgetting, not excusing sin

V. What Forgiveness is

VI. Why Forgive? (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13)

VII. Forgiveness of an Unrepentant Person

VIII. Conclusion