Simple, Part 1: Forgiveness is Simple // Jamie Nunnally

In this series, we're talking about things that aren't easy, but they're simple.  

Pastor Jamie Nunnally shares that it is not easy to walk in forgiveness, but it's simple.

 There are three types of forgiveness God is calling us to experience:

1. Receiving God's forgiveness

2. Forgiving ourselves

3. Forgiving others

We must receive God's forgiveness.

1 John 1:9 

God is more willing to forgive our sin than we are sometimes willing to admit our sin. God wants you to admit your sin because you can't be released from what you don't recognize.

Ephesians 1:7 "He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins." SO RICH!

If someone isn't forgiven, its not because God won't forgive them, but because they won't receive it.

 Isaiah 43:25 "I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again."

How often do you think about a bill you've already paid? You don't. That's how often God thinks about your forgiven sin: He doesn't. 

Feeling guilty doesn't make you a good person.

We must forgive ourselves.

We can only give what we have, so before we forgive others, we must forgive ourselves.

2 Peter 1:8-9

If you believe you're still a sinner, you will act like a sinner. If you believe you're forgiven, you will act like you're forgiven.

 Romans 8:1 "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus."

We must forgive others.

Matthew 6:14-15 "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."

Forgiveness is a two-sided coin. God can't redeem it until you release it. 

Forgiving others is not:

1. Denying what happened. 

The only people that won't like you having boundaries in your life are the people that have something to gain from you having none.

2. Excusing sin. 

3. Shielding someone from consequences. 

4. A guarantee that someone will change. 

If you need someone else to change in order for you to be OK, you are their prisoner.

Forgiveness is simply saying "I know a better judge than me and I am going to let Him handle this." Forgiveness is saying "I know unforgiveness is poison and I refuse to ingest it."

How to forgive others: Make the choice & engage the process.

You can't be married without a wedding but having a wedding doesn't mean you stay married.

Matthew 18:21-22 "Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."

Forgiveness is not just a point in time action; It's a life-long decision.

Have you received God's forgiveness?

Have you forgiven yourself?

Are you forgiving others?