Warriors for the Faith, Series 2, Lesson 4: Forgive, and Ye Shall Be Forgiven

Authorized Sword Ministries

Audio narrated with an AI voice. Read along below.

Hello, friend. Welcome to Authorized Sword Ministries.

We're so glad you're here.

Where We Left Off

In this series we have looked at prayer, a clean vessel, and fasting. Today is our last lesson in Series Two. It's called "Forgive, and Ye Shall Be Forgiven."

A warrior can have armour on and still be disarmed from the inside. Bitterness will do that. Forgiveness is not pretending the wound never happened. It is handing it to the Lord, because He has forgiven us.

Our Key Verse

"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."
— Matthew 6:14-15 (KJV)

Those are hard words, and they come from the Lord Jesus Himself, right after the Lord's prayer. He said it again this way:

"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."
— Mark 11:25 (KJV)

Jesus Forgave From the Cross

No one was ever treated worse than Jesus. And from the cross He prayed:

"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.…"
— Luke 23:34 (KJV)

Stephen followed his Lord's example. As the stones fell, he kneeled down and cried:

"And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.…"
— Acts 7:60 (KJV)

As an application, if Jesus could forgive the men who nailed Him there, and Stephen could forgive the men who killed him, then we can bring our smaller and our deeper wounds to the same Lord.

Joseph and a Woman Who Loved Much

Joseph's brothers sold him. Years later, when he had the power to pay them back, he would not. He said:

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."
— Genesis 50:20 (KJV)

He looked up and saw God's hand, and that set him free to forgive.

Luke tells us of a woman who came to Jesus with a broken past and washed His feet with her tears. Jesus said:

"Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little."
— Luke 7:47 (KJV)

People who know they have been forgiven much find it easier to forgive others. If you are struggling to forgive, start by remembering how much you have been forgiven.

How Often, and How?

Peter wanted a number. He asked if seven times would be enough.

"Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."
— Matthew 18:22 (KJV)

In other words, don't keep a running total. Paul wrote to the whole church:

"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
— Ephesians 4:31-32 (KJV)

"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."
— Colossians 3:13 (KJV)

Forgiveness does not always mean trusting a dangerous person again, or staying in harm's way. The Bible is clear about wisdom and safety. It does mean releasing the debt to God, putting away bitterness, and leaving the person in His hands.

Closing Thought

A warrior for the faith cannot fight well with a bitter heart. Forgive, because God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. That closes Series Two. In Series Three we'll look at the warrior's life among other people, beginning at home.

Let Us Pray

Lord Jesus, You forgave us from the cross. Help us put away all bitterness, and forgive others as You have forgiven us. Heal what has been wounded, and make our hearts tender again. In Your name, amen.

Next Lesson

Back to Courses