Journey to the Resurrection (Part 2)

First Baptist Church of Byram

1. What Is Christian Forgiveness?
   1. It is not mere passiveness.
   2. It is not waiting for the offender to come and then forgiving him.
   3. It is not merely passing over wrong. God doesn’t do that and does not ask us to.
   4. Either of the above is the height of worldly bigheartedness.
2. Positive action must be taken.
   1. Go to your brother and show him his fault between you and him alone.
   2. The purpose is this: “Thou hast gained thy brother.”
   3. Salvation of souls should be our uttermost desire.
   4. If he fails to hear, take witnesses, still with the hope of winning him.
   5. If he still refuses, tell it to the church.
   6. Not until all this effort has been made is he to be as a heathen and a publican.
3. Forgive With Godlike Long-suffering
   1. Peter’s question was, “How many times? Until seven times?” Peter thought this was generous.
   2. Jesus’ answer, “Until seventy times seven,” jarred Peter.
   3. Christian forgiveness is not to be measured by “times.”