Intense bible study about Forgiveness. New printable version is now available. This study is suitable for use in individual, group, and church bible study. Also makes a great sermon helper. 

Forgiveness is more than just a word people use when they have been wronged or have wronged someone else. It is also a key factor in our Christian lives. There are many ways that forgiveness can affect and change our lives. Here are some of them:

• We must ask God for forgiveness of our sins before we can be saved.
• We must forgive other people who have wronged us, so that we can be forgiven by God and others.
• We must forgive others before we pray.
• We must forgive repeatedly, there is no limits on forgiveness.
• Only the Lord has the power to forgive sins

Jesus tells us if we do not forgive other's that the Father will not forgive us
If someone has wronged you or owes you a debt they cannot pay,  then you must forgive them, otherwise you will be burdened with the hurt, pain, indignation, and even guilt that comes with unforgiveness.
And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.Matthew 6:12
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you Matt. 6:14
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:15
Jesus has the power to forgive us of our sins & heal the sick
But that  ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thine house. Matthew 9:6
Peter asked Jesus how many times should he forgive his brother 
We are all brothers and sisters in Christ and many times you may find yourself in a situation where someone has wronged you more than once. This does not mean you should allow yourself to be abused repeatedly. It does mean that you must forgive the other person even if it is only between you and God. This is not always an easy task but it must be done so that you can have a good relationship with the Lord and to prevent your prayer's from being hindered. Even if you have been wronged repeatedly you must forgive. Jesus says we are to forgive seventy times seven which is 490 times which demonstrates how much forgiveness we need to be prepared to give.

• Then came Peter to him, and said Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? till seven times? Matt. 18:21

Jesus told Peter to forgive seventy times seven which is at least 490 times!
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven time: but Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:22
Jesus gives an example of forgiveness
Read 

• Matthew 18:23-34

Jesus said that our heavenly Father will forgive us the same way we forgive others. We are to forgive others many times and from our hearts

• So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses. Matthew 18:35

Forgiveness is the catch to getting prayers answered
Jesus said when if we believe that we will receive when we pray that we will get what we are asking for but He also says that we must forgive everyone that we may be holding a grudge against so that our heavenly Father will forgive us of our own wrongs.

• Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them . Mark 11:24
• And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:25
• But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. Mark 11:26

Forgive others and you will be forgiven
Never judge others and you won't be judged, never condemn others and you will not be condemned, always forgive others and you will be forgiven.

• Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:Luke 6:37

As you can see forgiveness is a key element in our Christian lives. Being unable to forgive someone means that you won't be able to be forgiven. Forgiving is not always easy. It means confronting your thoughts, fears, anger, and even the person who has wronged you if the lack of your forgiveness is causing them pain or sorrow. We are forgiven by the Lord the moment we ask for it in Jesus Christ's precious name. You cannot hold grudges, grudges are caused by a lack of forgiveness which means you must forgive, and if you don't know how, then you must learn, you must be open to it, and pray to the Lord to give you the willingness, and openness it takes to forgive and be forgiven. 

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Forgiveness Study Part 3

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Memory Verse: And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:25

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