In week three of his series “High Five,” Pastor Ryan Heller shares how we can develop lives of freedom and forgiveness.
4 Stages of Forgiveness
1. Offense
2. Injury
3. Cancellation of the debt
4. Reconciliation
Five Keys to Forgiveness
1) Do it on the bases of love
…yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus… Philemon 9 (NIV)
…Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 (NLT)
2) Do it because it is helpful
Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. Philemon 11 (NIV)
3) Do it because its the right thing to do
Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do…But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. Philemon 8, 14 (NIV)
4) Do it because he’s a Christian brother
…no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. Philemon 16 (NIV)
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10 (NIV)
5) Do it because God can use it for the good.
Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever… Philemon 15 (NIV)
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