Nobody is free who is unforgiven. ~ John Stott
Forgiveness is the only way to break the cycle of blame–and pain–in a relationship…It does not settle all questions of blame and justice and fairness…But it does allow relationships to start over. In that way, said Solzhenitsyn, we differ from all animals. It is not our capacity to think that makes us different, but our capacity to repent, and to forgive. ~Philip Yancey
If I find myself half-carelessly taking lapses for granted, “Oh, that’s what they always do.” “Oh, of course she talks like that, he acts like that,” then I know nothing of Calvary love. ~Amy Carmichael
But forgiveness is not an emotion… Forgiveness is an act of will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart. ~Corrie Ten Boom
Those who say they will forgive but can’t forget, simply bury the hatchet but leave the handle out for immediate use. ~Dwight L Moody
The practice of comprehensive forgiveness overcomes our love of being right, our actual enjoyment and treasuring of our sense of being wronged… The constant practice of forgiveness leaves no room for self-righteousness. Frustrated condemnation of others and treasuring of old wrongs are not part of the artillery of God, but the slithering, slimy, deadly creatures of the Prince of Darkness. ~C. John Miller and Barbara Miller Juliani
We take God’s forgiveness for granted (when) we stubbornly withhold our forgiveness from others. In effect, we behave as though others’ sins against us are more serious than our sins against God. ~Ken Sande
The person who is living by grace sees this vast contrast between his own sins against God and the offenses of others against him. He forgives others because he himself has been so graciously forgiven. He realizes that, by receiving God’s forgiveness through Christ, he has forfeited the right to be offended when others hurt him. ~Jerry Bridges.
The ability to forgive is one of the surest signs of having been forgiven. It is part of the proof that we have received God’s grace… Those who are truly forgiven, truly forgive. The sins they commit are of greater importance to them than the sins they suffer. ~ Philip Graham Ryken
Forgiveness may be described as a decision to make four promises:
“I will not dwell on this incident.”
“I will not bring up this incident again and use it against you.”
“I will not talk to others about this incident.”
“I will not let this incident stand between us or hinder our personal relationship.”
~ Ken Sande
Next week’s Ten For Tuesday: On Reconciliation
Last week’s Ten For Tuesday: On Repentance
