Lesson 7 - Seeking Forgiveness

[*] "Seeking forgiveness is the action of honestly 'seeing' the guilt another is 'holding against me' for my wrong action or attitude toward him, acknowledging it before him without excuse or explanation, and without projecting blame either toward the offended person or toward anyone else related to the incident - then humbly asking forgiveness from the person I have offended."

WHAT SEEKING FORGIVENESS IS NOT:

"Seeking forgiveness is not 'apologizing' for my wrong against another. It is not acting apologietic or shamefaced in manner toward the one whom I have offended. It is not trying to be especially nice or loving toward him / her, or in any way attempting to prove myself worthy of the other's favor. It is not 'being sorry' for what I have done."

What it is . . .
• Recognizing you have wounded another by a word, action or deed
• Humbling yourself before that person
• Admitting your wrong
• Asking their forgiveness without any excuses
• Being reconciled in order to be back in right standing with the Father

Write out what Matthew 5:23 - 26 speak to your heart:








This means that we are to remember another's feelings towards us.
     [ ] True   [ ] False

This means that we are to go to that person and admit our error in wounding them.
     [ ] True   [ ] False

Does this say we should go and ask someone's forgiveness for thinking badly about them?
     [ ] Yes   [ ] No

What if we have said something about them to another, and they are not aware of it - should we ask their forgiveness (according to this scripture)?
     [ ] Yes   [ ] No

Why or why not?







[*] Notice that the offense to be dealt with is one that is known by the other party. If you have had jealous, or lustful, or angry thoughts or feelings toward another, but the other person is unaware of these, such things are to be confessed to God alone - not to the person against whom they wer held.
Exceptions to this procedure (where the offended is unaware) would be where there is restitution to be made; e.g., something stolen to be returned; something broken paid for; someone's name restored.

Does Matthew 5:23-26 say that I can wait to go and seek forgiveness until it is more comfortable, as long as I do it?
     [ ] Yes   [ ] No

What does it say about my worship?