WEBVTT 00:04.583 --> 00:14.987 [SPEAKER_00]: In today's verse fifteen, we continue our weeklong focus on forgiveness by looking at the idea of separating out our forgiveness of the person from their actions. 00:15.907 --> 00:22.710 [SPEAKER_00]: It's often our failure to do this separation that keeps us from engaging in the life-giving command to forgive. 00:23.490 --> 00:32.174 [SPEAKER_00]: But God has wisdom and revelation for us today as we look at His Word and freedom for our hearts today if we'll engage with Him in prayer. 00:33.114 --> 00:37.578 [SPEAKER_00]: May you find newfound freedom from the weight of unforgiveness today. 00:38.339 --> 00:40.461 [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first fifteen podcast. 01:10.388 --> 01:26.700 [SPEAKER_00]: Our scripture for today comes from John thirteen thirty four scripture says a new commandment I give to you that you love one another just as I have loved you you also are to love one another 01:30.460 --> 01:39.391 [SPEAKER_00]: One of the most important distinctions to make when learning about the practice of forgiveness is to forgive the person, not their actions. 01:40.532 --> 01:49.664 [SPEAKER_00]: Playing the sequence of someone's wrongful action over and over again in the mind is a terrible hindrance to obeying God's command to forgive. 01:50.973 --> 02:00.301 [SPEAKER_00]: When we continually reflect on how wrong an action was, our thoughts act as a blockade between our heart and God's heavenly compassion. 02:01.562 --> 02:07.688 [SPEAKER_00]: John, thirteen, thirty-four tells us, a new commandment I give to you that you love one another. 02:08.268 --> 02:12.072 [SPEAKER_00]: Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 02:13.752 --> 02:19.497 [SPEAKER_00]: God forgives us because He loves us, not because our actions are ever worthy of forgiveness. 02:20.398 --> 02:25.522 [SPEAKER_00]: He forgives us because He values restored relationship with us over our sins. 02:26.463 --> 02:33.849 [SPEAKER_00]: He forgives us because He is filled with love for us, not because our acts of confession demand forgiveness from Him. 02:34.790 --> 02:39.875 [SPEAKER_00]: And He says, just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 02:41.261 --> 02:48.165 [SPEAKER_00]: When Peter denied Jesus three times, he offered him relationship and another opportunity to serve him. 02:49.046 --> 02:54.189 [SPEAKER_00]: When Thomas was filled with doubt, Jesus offered him his nail pierced hands. 02:55.229 --> 03:02.834 [SPEAKER_00]: And when we sin against God, he offers us forgiveness that we might receive the full depth of his love again. 03:04.572 --> 03:10.036 [SPEAKER_00]: Luke six verse thirty seven says, judge not and you will not be judged. 03:10.936 --> 03:13.718 [SPEAKER_00]: Condemn not and you will not be condemned. 03:14.539 --> 03:17.181 [SPEAKER_00]: Forgive and you will be forgiven. 03:19.042 --> 03:22.724 [SPEAKER_00]: Our job is not to judge or condemn the actions of another. 03:23.705 --> 03:28.108 [SPEAKER_00]: The only one worthy of passing judgment is already seated on his throne. 03:29.169 --> 03:32.491 [SPEAKER_00]: God alone is perfect and able to offer sound judgment. 03:33.728 --> 03:37.909 [SPEAKER_00]: He alone carries the burden of being king of kings and lord of lords. 03:39.049 --> 03:43.970 [SPEAKER_00]: And he continually chooses to show mercy and compassion on the undeserving. 03:44.770 --> 03:49.111 [SPEAKER_00]: He continually offers forgiveness to the unworthy and sinful. 03:50.091 --> 03:55.132 [SPEAKER_00]: He continually runs out to meet us in our sin, like the father of the prodigal son. 03:57.053 --> 04:03.094 [SPEAKER_00]: Showing compassion for the wrongful actions of another is not easy, but it is necessary. 04:04.208 --> 04:16.561 [SPEAKER_00]: If we are to live a lifestyle of continual forgiveness, the way God commands, we must look to the heart of the person and receive God's compassion rather than taking up the seat of judgment. 04:17.802 --> 04:27.812 [SPEAKER_00]: If we are to love one another as God has loved us, we must value relationship over worldly justice and give grace where none is deserved. 04:29.146 --> 04:35.508 [SPEAKER_00]: May we obtain access to the heart of our Heavenly Father today as we seek to love as He loves. 04:36.648 --> 04:42.950 [SPEAKER_00]: May we be filled with compassion for others after reflection on the overwhelming grace we've been shown. 04:44.130 --> 04:51.672 [SPEAKER_00]: And may we be filled with courage and strength to reach past a wrongful action and forgive the person from our hearts. 05:25.778 --> 05:29.519 [SPEAKER_00]: Begin by meditating on God's command to judge not. 05:30.760 --> 05:35.762 [SPEAKER_00]: Allow scripture to renew your mind to the important command to forgive others. 05:37.102 --> 05:42.384 [SPEAKER_00]: Luke six thirty seven says, judge not and you will not be judged. 05:43.325 --> 05:46.146 [SPEAKER_00]: Condemn not and you will not be condemned. 05:47.006 --> 05:49.627 [SPEAKER_00]: Forgive and you will be forgiven. 06:29.427 --> 06:34.370 [SPEAKER_00]: And next, what action has been deemed unforgivable in your mind? 06:35.531 --> 06:39.994 [SPEAKER_00]: Where are you struggling to forgive a person because of the way they've wronged you? 06:56.351 --> 06:56.692 [UNKNOWN]: you 07:18.422 --> 07:29.140 [SPEAKER_00]: And now, ask God to give you the ability to look past a wrongful action to the heart of the person, so that you might have compassion and offer forgiveness. 07:30.407 --> 07:38.009 [SPEAKER_00]: spend time in his presence, removing yourself from the seat of judgment so that you can offer grace and forgiveness. 07:39.289 --> 07:49.692 [SPEAKER_00]: Psalm one o three verses ten through fourteen says, He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our inequities. 07:50.592 --> 07:57.155 [SPEAKER_00]: For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love towards those who fear him. 07:57.595 --> 08:03.317 [SPEAKER_00]: As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 08:04.157 --> 08:10.580 [SPEAKER_00]: As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. 08:11.240 --> 08:15.402 [SPEAKER_00]: For he knows our frame, he remembers that we are dust. 08:57.503 --> 09:06.450 [SPEAKER_00]: When we offer forgiveness where none is deserved, we are placing our hope for justice and reconciliation in God rather than ourselves. 09:07.462 --> 09:16.467 [SPEAKER_00]: When we offer mercy, we look to heaven for all things to be set right and renewed rather than looking to this fallen and a folly-filled world. 09:17.448 --> 09:19.749 [SPEAKER_00]: There is no perfection in this world. 09:20.390 --> 09:25.293 [SPEAKER_00]: There is nothing we can do to completely rid this world of its inherent depravity. 09:26.093 --> 09:33.098 [SPEAKER_00]: So we must look to our heavenly father, to work and heal as he wills and follow in his footsteps. 09:33.938 --> 09:42.007 [SPEAKER_00]: We must carry an atmosphere of grace so that heaven can meet earth through our lives and draw people into the fold of God. 09:43.148 --> 09:55.241 [SPEAKER_00]: May we have the strength and perspective to place our hope in heaven and offer mercy, compassion and forgiveness to the wrongful, destitute and proud. 10:16.782 --> 10:19.404 [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks so much for listening to today's podcast. 10:19.744 --> 10:21.185 [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh with First Fifteen. 10:22.106 --> 10:32.394 [SPEAKER_00]: If you feel the freedom and courage from separating a person from his or her actions to finally forgive, I want to encourage you to take hold of that courage right now and do it. 10:33.174 --> 10:39.379 [SPEAKER_00]: Initiate a conversation with them that you might finally rid yourself of this weight of unforgiveness. 10:40.260 --> 10:43.943 [SPEAKER_00]: No matter how difficult the conversation, it will be worth it. 10:45.006 --> 10:49.329 [SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day and may God bless you as you seek him.