Will God Forgive Me?

Teacher:
Series:

Scripture Reading

Matthew 6:14-15 (NRSVUE)
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 

Introductory Remarks: 

‘…[M]ost of us find it hard to believe that God could really forgive our errors. But know that God has already forgiven you. Nothing you could do is so grievous as to cast God away from you.’ Dr. Mary A. Tumpkin, Before You Pray, Forgive 

 

Major Points of the Lesson:

  1. God is love. ‘God does not hold less than love for you no matter what you have done or haven’t done, because God is love.’ Eric Butterworth, Discover the Power Within, pg.150
  2. Like the Prodigal Son, ‘[t]he moment I come to myself, know the Truth of my innate divinity, my divine [heritage], in that moment…I am transformed. I am forgiven because I have forgiven myself.’ Butterworth, pgs. 152-153
  3. ‘You can express more love, more understanding and in this way release the positive power of the Spirit that cleanses you–but it is the result of what you have done.’ [Not what God has done.] God can do no more for you than…[what can be done] through you.’ Butterworth, pg. 153

 

Quotes to Ponder:

‘God is love and [God] can only love you when you love. If you want forgiveness, you must express forgiveness. There is no other way.’