FORGIVE.

FAILURE to Forgive will jeopardize our salvation. “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt 6:14-15).

OFFENDED party is the one that OFFERS the OPPORTUNITY. Without forgiveness, the repentant party has no opportunity to be restored. “Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt” (Matt 18:27).

RELEASE is the form of forgiveness you can practice when the offending party can’t (death or absence) or won’t ask for forgiveness. “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34; cf Acts 2:36-38).

GOD can forgive, will forgive, and practices forgiveness. “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee” (Mark 2:5).

IDOLATRY is a form of being unforgiving. You’re elevating self above God. “And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf” (Luke 15:28-30).

VENGEANCE is the Lords. We won’t forgive for the lack of justice. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Rom 12:19).

EXONERATION is what we need and the ultimate goal. “And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both” (Luke 7:42; cf Rom 5:8-10).