LET’S FORGIVE IT OUR ALL!

I. Can you?

II. Will you?

Ephesians 4:29-5:2 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your

mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their

needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy

Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get

rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every

form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each

other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

5:1

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

In the name of Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave himself up for us, dear

Christian friends, Which of the following statements do you hear yourself saying most often?

A) “I will never forgive him”

B) “I will forgive him only when he forgives me”

C) “I will forgive him no matter what happens”

The answer C) sounds a lot like Joseph whom we heard about in the first lesson

today as he was able to forgive his brothers who had sold him into slavery and told his

father he had been torn apart by an animal. It even sounds a little like Peter whom we

heard about in the Gospel who wanted to go over and above the Rabbinic law of forgiving