TWO KINDS OF FORGIVENESS

TWO KINDS OF FORGIVENESS

*Main Verse:*
1. "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." - Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV)
2. "Bear with one another and forgive one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." - Colossians 3:13 (ESV)

*Introduction:*
Forgiveness is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, and it is essential to understand that there are two kinds of forgiveness: God's forgiveness of us, and our forgiveness of others. In this topic, we will explore these two kinds of forgiveness and their significance in our lives.

*Main Points:*

A. *GOD'S FORGIVENESS OF US*
- *Definition:* God's forgiveness is the act of God pardoning our sins and removing the guilt and penalty associated with them.
- *Basis:* God's forgiveness is based on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again to give us new life.
- *Benefits:*
- Reconciliation with God (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
- Removal of guilt and shame (Psalm 103:12)
- New life in Christ (John 3:16)
- Freedom from sin's penalty (Romans 6:23)
- Adoption as children of God (Romans 8:15-17)
- Eternal life (John 3:16)
- Peace with God (Romans 5:1)
- Joy and hope (Romans 15:13)
- *References:*
- "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace." - Ephesians 1:7 (ESV)
- "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 (ESV)
- "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

1. *ASK FORGIVENESS FROM GOD*
- *Definition:* Asking forgiveness from God is the act of confessing our sins and seeking forgiveness from God.
- *Basis:* Asking forgiveness from God is based on the Word of God, which says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9 (ESV)
- *Benefits:*
- Forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9)
- Cleansing from unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)
- Restoration of fellowship with God (1 John 1:3-4)
- Peace with God (Romans 5:1)
- Joy and hope (Romans 15:13)
- *References:*
- "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9 (ESV)
- "And whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 (ESV)
- "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." - Isaiah 1:18 (ESV)

B. *OUR FORGIVENESS OF OTHERS*
- *Definition:* Our forgiveness of others is the act of releasing them from the debt they owe us and choosing not to hold their mistakes against them.
- *Basis:* Our forgiveness of others is based on God's forgiveness of us, and it is a demonstration of our love and obedience to God.
- *Benefits:*
- Reconciliation with others (Matthew 5:23-24)
- Freedom from bitterness and anger (Hebrews 12:15)
- Demonstration of God's love (John 13:34-35)
- Answer to prayer (Matthew 6:14-15)
- Peace and unity (Ephesians 4:3)
- Joy and happiness (Proverbs 17:22)
- *References:*
- "So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." - Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV)
- "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." - John 13:34 (ESV)
- "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." - Matthew 6:12 (ESV)

1. *ASK FORGIVENESS FROM OTHERS*
- *Definition:* Asking forgiveness from others is the act of confessing our mistakes and seeking forgiveness from them.
- *Basis:* Asking forgiveness from others is based on the Word of God, which says, "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone." - Matthew 18:15 (ESV)
- *Benefits:*
- Reconciliation with others (Matthew 18:15)
- Healing of relationships (Matthew 18:15)
- Demonstration of humility (Philippians 2:3-4)
- Peace and unity (Ephesians 4:3)
- Joy and happiness (Proverbs 17:22)
- *References:*
- "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone." - Matthew 18:15 (ESV)
- "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." - James 5:16 (ESV)
- "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." - Philippians 2:3 (ESV)


*TWO KINDS OF SIN*

1. *SIN AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT* (Unforgivable)
- *Definition:* Sin against the Holy Spirit is the act of rejecting the work of the Holy Spirit and blasphemy against the truth of God.
- *Example:* The Pharisees who said that Jesus was possessed by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, and that he was doing miracles by the power of Satan. (Matthew 12:24, Mark 3:22, Luke 11:15)
- *Basis:* Sin against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable, according to the Word of God, which says, "Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven." - Matthew 12:31 (ESV)
- *References:*
- "Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven." - Matthew 12:31 (ESV)
- "And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come." - Matthew 12:32 (ESV)
- "The one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven." - Mark 3:29 (ESV)

2. *SIN OF MAN* (Forgivable)
- *Definition:* Sin of man is any act or word that is contrary to the holiness of God.
- *Example:* Murder, theft, lying, and other sins that people commit.
- *Basis:* Sin of man is forgivable, according to the Word of God, which says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9 (ESV)
- *References:*
- "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9 (ESV)
- "And whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 (ESV)
- "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." - Isaiah 1:18 (ESV)

*CONCLUSION:*
Forgiveness is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, and it is essential to understand that there are two kinds of forgiveness: God's forgiveness of us, and our forgiveness of others. May we forgive others as God has forgiven us, and experience the freedom and reconciliation that comes from forgiveness.

*QUESTIONS:*

1. What is the definition of sin against the Holy Spirit?
2. What are examples of sin against the Holy Spirit?
3. What is the definition of sin of man?
4. What are examples of sin of man?
5. How can we ask forgiveness from God?
6. How can we ask forgiveness from others?
7. What are the benefits of forgiveness?
8. What is the importance of forgiveness in our lives?

*ANSWERS:*

1. Sin against the Holy Spirit is the act of rejecting the work of the Holy Spirit and blasphemy against the truth of God

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