Is Forgiving a Sign of Weakness? // Masashi Shibuya

Forgiveness is powerful! It’s not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it takes strength to forgive and love as Jesus did. Join us as we learn how to practice some daily habits of forgiveness. It will change your attitude, and most importantly your relationships.

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Is Forgiving a Sign of Weakness? 

Forgiving is STRONG 

(Ephesians 6:10 NLT) A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Love is Strong

(1 Corinthians 13:5-6 NLT) It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (6) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

(Luke 7:44-48 NLT) Then he by turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. (45) You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. (46) You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. (47) I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” (48) Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Love Keeps No Records of Wrongs

(Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV) “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, (27) and do not give the devil a foothold. 

Daily Habit to Forgive

(Matthew 6:12 NLT) And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 

We Can Forgive Because We Have Been Forgiven Much 

(Luke 7:47 NLT) I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.

(Colossians 3:12-14 NLT) 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. 

Clothe Yourself with God’s Strength 

Free to Love Again

(Galatians 5:13 NLT) For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

(1 John 4:19 NLT) We love each other because he loved us first.

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Connect Group Questions:

• Why does God want us to forgive (Col 3:13-15, Gal 5:13)?
• What happens when we don't forgive?
• How can you apply the Habits of Forgiveness to your life?
• Don’t keep a record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5). How can we forgive someone quickly when they hurt us?
• The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:12). Why did Jesus include Forgiveness in his example of how to pray?
• Forgive because you have been forgiven (Luke 7:47). How does knowing that God forgives me help me to forgive others?
• Clothe yourself with God’s strength (Colossians 3:12-14). How does God’s strength help us to forgive?

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