Forgiveness: The Principle and Price



 Why couldn't the Father just forgive us without Jesus needing to die? 
Multifaceted understanding of forgiveness: Acknowledging the Wrong: "To forgive, then, is first to name the trespass truthfully as wrong and punishable, rather than merely excusing it." Identifying with the Offender: "Second, it is to identify with the perpetrator as a fellow sinner rather than thinking how different from you he or she is." 
Absorbing the Debt: "Third, it is to release the wrongdoer from liability by absorbing the debt oneself rather than seeking revenge and paying them back."

Aiming for reconciliation: "Finally, it is to aim for reconciliation rather than breaking off the relationship forever."

Matthew 18:23–35:
23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.[a] 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. (1 talent ≈ 6,000 days’ wages) 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” 

Three Dimensions of Forgiveness
 Vertical: Receiving forgiveness from God. Internal: Granting forgiveness within oneself to those who have wronged us.

Horizontal: Extending forgiveness outwardly by offering reconciliation to the wrongdoer. Forgiveness begins as an internal decision to release resentment and the desire for revenge. Forgiveness Does Not Mean Forgetting or Excusing Wrongdoing True forgiveness acknowledges the reality and pain of the offense while choosing to release the offender from the debt they owe. Forgiveness Is a Process, Not a One-Time Event

God's Forgiveness Empowers Human Forgiveness Multifaceted understanding of forgiveness: Acknowledging the Wrong: "To forgive, then, is first to name the trespass truthfully as wrong and punishable, rather than merely excusing it." Identifying with the Offender: "Second, it is to identify with the perpetrator as a fellow sinner rather than thinking how different from you he or she is." Absorbing the Debt: "Third, it is to release the wrongdoer from liability by absorbing the debt oneself rather than seeking revenge and paying them back." Aiming for reconciliation: "Finally, it is to aim for reconciliation rather than breaking off the relationship forever."