Forgiveness
Youth Resources
REVIVING THE SPARK
Study Skits Of Biblical Truths For Youth
Characters:
Hortense
Bradley
Bradley: I've come to collect the rent, Hortense.
Hortense: Please, Mr. Bradley - I don't have it. I'll pay you next month.
Bradley: That's what you said last month - and the month before that, and the month before that. You haven't paid me in six months.
Hortense: Please - I'm a widow with a heart condition. My daughter has diabetes. IfI pay you, I won't be able to buy her insulin.
Bradley: I thought it was diphtheria.
Hortense: That was last month. She got over it, and then got diabetes.
Bradley: All right. We'll call it square. You don't owe me anything. Just make sure your little girl gets her insulin.
Hortense: Oh, I will. Thank you, Mr. Bradley.
Bradley: I'm glad to help out. (He exits. She removes her apron, lets down her hair, dons a fur coat, and gets on the phone)
Hortense: Gertrude - I'm heading out to Las Vegas. I want my twenty bucks - now. (Pause) I don't care about your little problems. (Pause) It isn't the principle of the thing; it's the twenty bucks. (Pause) Hey, you never know when a brick might fall off a skyscraper and crash through your living room window.
Forgiveness
Questions to consider: (Read Matthew 18:21-25)
1. Why should we forgive those who hurt us?
2. Should forgiveness be conditional upon an apology?
3. What is the problem with revenge?
4. Does forgiveness always rule out punishment?
5. What is the difference between punishment and revenge?
The key point:
We have all "sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." When we come to Christ, our sin is completely covered by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Our inability to forgive others stems from our inability to see that truth. If we cannot forgive others, we have no right to expect God or anyone else to forgive us.
What if the offending party sees no need to apologize? There are two sides of reconciliation: forgiveness and repentance. Forgiveness is my willingness to receive the offending party at any time with grace. Repentance is the other party's willingness to apologize for the wrongs done. Reconciliation occurs only when both conditions are met. But people don't always apologize for their wrongs. In such a case, I am still obligated to forgive the other party. Why? Because if I don't, I cut myself off from fellowship with God. The relationship with the other person is stunted, but I am free in my relationship with God.
What is the difference between punishment and revenge? Suppose you have a child who steals five dollars from you to buy candy. You discover it and confront him. He admits his sin and asks you to forgive him. Should that be the end of it? No - the chid still must pay a penalty. He must at least restore the five dollars to you (either monetarily or by working it off) and perhaps endure the rod. But as a father, you must examine your motivation. Are you punishing because you love your child and want what is best for him, or because he hurt you and now you want to hurt him back?
Punishment is something administered by an authority figure to a subordinate (father to son, boss to employee, the law to an offender). Do not attempt to punish a peer or one who rules over you. If you do, you will discover just how easily it will turn to a motivation of revenge.
Revenge will fill your heart with bitterness and hatred. It will destroy relationships, not only with the revenged party, but also with an ever-widening circle of others. Why? Because it is a point of personal character that cannot be localized to one individual. You will take revenge on others for increasingly smaller provocations.
Hortense
Bradley
Bradley: I've come to collect the rent, Hortense.
Hortense: Please, Mr. Bradley - I don't have it. I'll pay you next month.
Bradley: That's what you said last month - and the month before that, and the month before that. You haven't paid me in six months.
Hortense: Please - I'm a widow with a heart condition. My daughter has diabetes. IfI pay you, I won't be able to buy her insulin.
Bradley: I thought it was diphtheria.
Hortense: That was last month. She got over it, and then got diabetes.
Bradley: All right. We'll call it square. You don't owe me anything. Just make sure your little girl gets her insulin.
Hortense: Oh, I will. Thank you, Mr. Bradley.
Bradley: I'm glad to help out. (He exits. She removes her apron, lets down her hair, dons a fur coat, and gets on the phone)
Hortense: Gertrude - I'm heading out to Las Vegas. I want my twenty bucks - now. (Pause) I don't care about your little problems. (Pause) It isn't the principle of the thing; it's the twenty bucks. (Pause) Hey, you never know when a brick might fall off a skyscraper and crash through your living room window.
Forgiveness
Questions to consider: (Read Matthew 18:21-25)
1. Why should we forgive those who hurt us?
2. Should forgiveness be conditional upon an apology?
3. What is the problem with revenge?
4. Does forgiveness always rule out punishment?
5. What is the difference between punishment and revenge?
The key point:
We have all "sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." When we come to Christ, our sin is completely covered by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Our inability to forgive others stems from our inability to see that truth. If we cannot forgive others, we have no right to expect God or anyone else to forgive us.
What if the offending party sees no need to apologize? There are two sides of reconciliation: forgiveness and repentance. Forgiveness is my willingness to receive the offending party at any time with grace. Repentance is the other party's willingness to apologize for the wrongs done. Reconciliation occurs only when both conditions are met. But people don't always apologize for their wrongs. In such a case, I am still obligated to forgive the other party. Why? Because if I don't, I cut myself off from fellowship with God. The relationship with the other person is stunted, but I am free in my relationship with God.
What is the difference between punishment and revenge? Suppose you have a child who steals five dollars from you to buy candy. You discover it and confront him. He admits his sin and asks you to forgive him. Should that be the end of it? No - the chid still must pay a penalty. He must at least restore the five dollars to you (either monetarily or by working it off) and perhaps endure the rod. But as a father, you must examine your motivation. Are you punishing because you love your child and want what is best for him, or because he hurt you and now you want to hurt him back?
Punishment is something administered by an authority figure to a subordinate (father to son, boss to employee, the law to an offender). Do not attempt to punish a peer or one who rules over you. If you do, you will discover just how easily it will turn to a motivation of revenge.
Revenge will fill your heart with bitterness and hatred. It will destroy relationships, not only with the revenged party, but also with an ever-widening circle of others. Why? Because it is a point of personal character that cannot be localized to one individual. You will take revenge on others for increasingly smaller provocations.
