The Truth Will Set You Free

Oh how I needed to hear this morning's message. God placed a certain someone in my life that I really needed to forgive. The details will remain between God, myself, and this particular someone. It has been a major struggle for me to truly forgive this person. I would tell myself, and even this certain someone that I forgave them but I realized this morning that I was lying to us both. With the words of this message, and the grace of God, I can know say that I do forgive him/her and I have given it to God. I am sure that we all have that someone that may have hurt us in the past. It may even be yourself that you need to personally forgive. It is that reason that I wanted to share this mornings notes. I hope that can bring the same peace to you that they did to me....

"How to Set Others Free"
Matthew 18:21-35
February 22, 2009

I. Ask the Holy Spirit who you need to free.
*John 16:8

"When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgement"


II. Forgive. It is not an option.
*Ephesians 4:32 *Colossians 3:13

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)

"Just as in Christ God forgave" me... Wow! Christ forgave me to the degree of His death on a cross. All I am called to do is forgive my certain someone and to treat them with respect.

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13)


III. How to forgive:
1. Acknowledge the offense.
*Luke 22:34

"Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will
deny three times that you know me."

2. Choose to keep no record of the wrong.
*1 Corinthians 13:5

"It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no
record of wrongs."

How can we ignore God's greatest gift of love?

3. Don't punish the offender.
*Romans 12:19

"Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is
written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord."

It isn't up to me to punish/judge those who have done me wrong. It is God's responsibility to take care of. I have given Him control.

4. Don't gossip about the offender.
*Ephesians 4:29-31 *Proverbs 18:21

"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. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you
were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and
anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice."
(Ephesians 4:29-31)

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat
its fruit."
(Proverbs 18:21)

It goes back to the saying, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." I need to speak positive of all others, especially those who have done me wrong. In my situation, the person I had to forgive gave me one of the best gifts of my life. I will forever be grateful to this person.

5. Put the offender at the foot of the cross.
*Colossians 3:13

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one
another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

IV. Just Do It!!!
*Genesis 50:14-21 *Luke 15:20-32

Both passages are amazing stories of forgiveness.


In closing, I left church feeling as if a huge weight had been lifted off of me. I pray that if anyone reading this has struggled with forgiving someone that I may have provided some help. I also pray that my paticular person has been able to forgive me in return.

Scripture was quoted out of the NIV translation. The words in bold were my personal thoughts.

Until next time....