Psalm 32:1-5; 103:1-5. Love Thinks No Evil (2)

LOVE THINKS NO EVIL (continued)

2)   Cautions:

a)   This does not rule out discipline/punishment for sin. 

i)     Vengeance belongs to the Lord & he has given gov't & parents auth. to dish out SOME of it.

ii)    But once the sin is dealt with properly then all are to move on.

b)   This does not rule out the need for wisdom in dealing with crime/criminals.

i)     Jer 40:13-16: Gedaliah needed to be more cautious, to at least consider the report that Ishmael was out to kill him.

ii)    But in 2 Sam 10:3: the Ammonite lord Hanun should not have believed the suspicions of his princes concerning the emissaries of King David.

iii)  Jer 11:19: Jeremiah was right in not suspecting the people who had devised schemes against him.

c)   Commands (write out these two verses):

i)     Zechariah 8:17:

ii)    Titus 3:2:

We will emphasize the "keeping a record of wrong" aspect.  When we consider "hopes all things" we will return to the need to think well of people instead of thinking evil.

3)   Biblical Principles on forgiveness.

a)   God, in Christ, is the pattern for forgiveness.  What terminology is used in these passages that describe how God forgives?

i)     Psalm 32:1-5:

ii)    Psalm 103:1-5:

iii)  Psalm 130:4-5:

iv)  Jer. 31:34:

v)   Eph. 1:7:

b)   In Matt. 18:35, what does Jesus mean by "forgive from the heart"?

i)     A heart of forgiveness precedes the act of forgiveness.

ii)    This answers the question: what do I do if this person doesn't acknowledge their sin?

c)   The actual experience of extending and receiving forgiveness requires that 2 conditions be met.  What are these 2 conditions?

                i)     Prov. 28:13; 1 John 1:9:

ii)    Prov.28:13; Matt. 18:15-17; Acts 2:38:

4)  Application:

a)   Memorize Psalm 15:3.

b)   Godly "soul searching" is in order.  Are there people in your life towards whom you are suspicious, always assuming the worst?  Ask God the Spirit to bring these to your mind.  Ask His help in bringing about renewal of the mind.

c)   Likewise, Godly soul searching in the matter of revenge is also in order.  With whom do you have a list of wrongs going?  Are their people you struggle with because of your history?  Again, confession, repentance, asking the Lord to fill you with His life is essential.

d)   The external key to forgiveness involves acts of kindness (Eph 4:32).  Plan kindnesses to those towards whom you are bitter.

e)   The internal key is, as always, Christ.  Meditate on His life, His forgiveness from the cross.  We are to forgive AS God in Christ forgave us.