Fingerprints of God #4 - The Power of Forgiveness

Scripture: Matthew 5:44, Romans 5:8 and Acts chapters 6 & 7.

Today we will look at an incredibly powerful aspect of God’s character: He is a forgiving God. This is what the scriptures have declared and it is what God Himself says.  He leaves His fingerprints on a cross to demonstrate to us just how incredible His forgiveness is and the depth of His remarkable love.

Pastor shares a heart-wrenching story of unimaginable forgiveness, setting the stage for the lessons we learn from God’s love and forgiveness. The story shows the divine, all powerful love of God and His love alone is what can bring forgiveness to even the most difficult, painful, tragic, and horrific situations.

God forgives us with amazing love. He allowed His Son to stretch out His arms on a cross and to pay the full penalty for our rebellion against the Father - He showed us amazing forgiveness in the person of Jesus, the Messiah, the Savior of the world. And THAT changes everything.

His incredible love has the power to change any life, and to bring healing and forgiveness into even the darkest of places.

This is not saying that because God loves us we excuse or accept evil that is done to us.  God doesn’t say we need to approve of those who wrong or hurt us. Evil is still evil. Tragedy is still tragic, but what God says is that He gives us the power to rise above it, to overcome evil will good, to rise above tragedy so then we do not live in the past, grieving and full of despair. Instead, the Lord frees us, frees us to speak truth, but to speak the truth in love, and to forgive even those who have been our enemies.

Pastor has us take a look at the story of Stephen, as told in Acts chapters 6-7, who as he was being unjustly stoned and killed, speaks truth, mercy and forgiveness.  Stephen’s Prayer as he was being stoned to death - Acts 7:59-60 “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Died).  Stephen knew the words Jesus spoke from the cross, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” And Stephen now takes that example of love and forgiveness and with his dying breath spoke forgiveness.

God tells us as He has forgiven us, so we also are to forgive others. 

Matthew 5:44 “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”  It’s not about liking them or accepting their actions - It’s about loving them - genuine love is not a matter of feelings.  Instead it is an act of the will.

We, as an act of will by faith in Jesus Christ, can love even our enemies. We are encouraged to allow the incredible love of God to deeply impact our lives.

Pastor shares three truths for why we are to forgive and shares insight into the benefits of forgiveness. When we reflect the character of God in our lives, it not only honors Him, it strengthens others and changes us.
    ⁃    God
    ⁃    Others
    ⁃    Self

The class closes with another story that gives a profound example of forgiveness that is motivated only by the goodness and grace of God.  A gut-wrenching testimonial that’s the result of a powerful act of will that shows unexpected, unexplained love and forgiveness that changed the lives of all involved in this tragic event.

We are called to love and forgive because God has loved and forgiven us.

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