UNWRAPPED: THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS

Sometimes, the pain or “wrapping” of OFFENSE hides the gifts of PEACE AND FREEDOM that comes through forgiveness. 

WHAT IS UNFORGIVENESS?

POINT 1: Offense Is A TRAP — Forgiveness Is THE ESCAPE! Jesus said in Luke 17:1, “It is impossible that no offenses should come.” The Greek word for “offense” is skandalon — the bait stick in an animal trap. That’s what offense does. It lures you in, and once you bite, it locks you down.

1.Scripture describes Relational sins that create a “debt.”                                                                                   

Matthew 6:12 - “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”

2.The Nature of the Debt

3.Spiritual Law required appropriate payment for Sin. 

Rom 6:23 - "the wages of sin is death" 

4.Unforgiveness Is Like A Parasite – It Sucks The Life Out Of You

(Here comes my gross, cringy visual illustration that you will remember) 

5.You can’t avoid being hurt — but YOU CAN CHOOSE HOW YOU RESPOND. 

6.Unforgiveness is a BIG DEAL to God!

Mark 11:25 — Forgive when you stand praying “so your Father may forgive you.”

You can’t change what someone did, but YOU CAN CHANGE WHAT YOU DO NEXT.

POINT 2: Forgiveness Is Not Saying What Happened Was Okay — It’s Saying IT WON’T CONTROL YOU ANYMORE

Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. Col 3:12-15 NLT

FOUR SPIRITUAL CONSEQUENCES OF LETTING UNFORGIVENESS LINGER

1. CUTS OFF FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD (Matthew 6:14–15)

2. GIVES SATAN LEGAL GROUND (Ephesians :26-27)

3. DEFILES OTHERS AROUND US (Hebrews 12:15)

4. IMPRISONS THE OFFENDED PERSON

If you’ll let God handle the wrapping, He’ll show you the gift inside — PEACE.

POINT 3: Forgiving Others UNWRAPS PEACE IN YOUR HEART

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. Col 3:12-15 NLT

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Advent Season – preparing our hearts for the coming of Messiah. This week, take three steps:

Identify one person or situation that still stirs pain when you think about it.

Pray for them by name each day this week. Bless them, even if your feelings haven’t caught up yet.

Write a Christmas Letter - a letter of release. (You don’t have to send it.) Write what they did, how it affected you, and then end with: “Today, I choose to forgive you and release you to God.” It will be a gift to them… and to yourself!