Click here for a brief description of what to expect February 8, 2015 at Oak Park‘s Family Gathering where author/pastor Chris Brauns will speak to us about the most important issue and practice of forgiveness.
What are the characteristics of God’s forgiveness? God’s forgiveness is gracious. He offers forgiveness freely. This is not because forgiveness is free in terms of cost. It is a very expensive gift that can be offered freely because, motivated by love, God send his one and only Son to pay the price for it. God’s…
Guilt: God’s law shows me both the holiness of God’s character and that I have failed to meet his moral standards. This awareness (made possible through the Holy Spirit) then leads me to confession of sin and a desire for genuine repentance. Grace: the gospel (good news) then teaches me that Jesus Christ sided on…
What can we learn from the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:21-35? Forgiveness cancels a debt. The practice of canceling a debt serves as a metaphor for practicing forgiveness. Forgiveness presupposes that someone bear the cost of what is owed Forgiveness makes a three-fold promise: (1) I will not bring up this offense again or use…
Ron Edmondson as two concise posts that biblically explain what forgiveness is and what it is not that are simple and helpful in for getting your mind and heart around what forgiveness is and what it is not. Here are 7 things forgiveness IS NOT: Forgetting – When you forgive someone your memory isn’t suddenly wiped…
Ron Edmondson has two posts he wrote awhile ago that are concise in biblically explaining what forgiveness is and it is not. Here are 7 things forgiveness IS NOT: Forgetting – When you forgive someone your memory isn’t suddenly wiped clean of the offense. I know God could do that, but it seems that would be…
How do you walk in victory over against being consumed with bitterness? In “Unpacking Forgiveness: Biblical Answers for Complex Questions and Deep Wounds” Chris Brauns gives four ways a believer can defeat bitterness. First, trust God’s justice and providence (155). All of us at different times in our lives are treated unfairly; that’s part-and-parcel of…
Theology Along the Way 