Grace Bible Church
Pastor Teacher
Robert R. McLaughlin
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
There is a tremendous difference between the doctrine of rebound and the doctrine of divine retribution.
Rebound deals with the principle of the individual agreeing with God and admitting that he or she was wrong and wanting to get back in fellowship with God and willing to take the responsibility for doing so.
Divine retribution deals with God bringing divine discipline upon the individual for the decisions that he has made.
One says "I have sinned" while the other says "I accept the responsibility of my actions".
In rebound, we confess our sins, in retribution we reap the consequences of our sins.
There never was a believer who named a known sin to God privately, without any system of human works, or human power, or gimmicks,... who was not immediately forgiven.
"Forgiving your sins does not mean forgetting your sins."
Heb 8:12, Heb 10:17, = an anthropopathism ascribing to God a human characteristic such as memory so that we can identify His attitude toward our sins.
Divine forgiveness is found in Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
God forgave all the sins of the human race and He doesn't remember them anymore BUT forgiveness of sins does not mean that every member of the human race will go to heaven.
When I say it is an anthropopathism, it does not mean that God does not or cannot remember anything, it means that --- that is how He wants us to view His divine attitude.
On our part, there must be repentance and a change of mind and a viewpoint on the part of us who have sinned living as those whose sins have been forgiven.
AMP versions - Mat 3:8 Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart];
A lot of individuals want to be forgiven for what they have done to others but they live their lives as though they have not sinned or failed.
It teaches us that "If we’re going to be the recipients of God’s grace, then we must give grace to others,"......and that is true."
Or, in a positive glorious way, He is teaching us that the most practical way to show the world that we understand the
Gospel of forgiveness is by showing the world that we know how to forgive.
Forgiveness is trusting God to be the ultimate and perfect judge which means that He knows how to settle our disputes much better than we do.
Forgiveness = “the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feelings and attitude regarding an offense and lets go of negative emotions such as vengefulness, with an increased ability to wish the offender well.”
True forgiveness is not just “letting go” of anger, bitterness and resentment, but, it’s also wishing well for the one who hurt you.
Not just "praying and informing God" of their transgressions but actually asking the Lord to bless that person.
Myth #1: Forgiveness means you have to forget.
This is a wonderful opportunity to operate in a lifestyle of saying, “I have NOT been able to forget but in Phi 4:13, I can forgive."
Myth #2: Forgiveness means that you’re condoning and understanding their actions.
Many times we feel that choosing to forgive is saying that in some cases I can understand what a particular person did to us and it was okay.
Forgiveness is trusting God to be the ultimate and perfect judge.
Myth #3: Forgiveness means you have to be a doormat for others.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean that I have to subject myself to being continually abused and used.
Nor does forgiveness mean that I have to like someone and be with them again, it means I have to love them but I do need to have fellowship with them --- illustration -- Joh 3:16.
PRO 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
Forgiveness means that I’m going to protect and free myself from you by not carrying bitterness within me.
Myth #4: Forgiveness means you have to have fellowship with others and accept them as your friends.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean that you have to continually be “close” or “friends” with someone.
Sometimes, the healthiest thing for two people is separation or distance.
We are commanded by Scripture to forgive, love and be kind to others.
Myth #5: Forgiveness comes from an apology.
Sometimes we think that the two words, “I’m sorry” are supposed to heal all wounds. Esau did that!
True forgiveness cannot come from an honest statement from someone, but rather, an all-powerful God.
God must first forgive the one who is doing the forgiving; then the forgiving one must truly experience and enjoy God’s forgiveness.
Myth #6: Forgiveness is based on the other person’s actions.
Often people will say, “I will forgive that person when they ask me for it and start doing things to deserve my forgiveness.”
Grace is giving something to someone, even when they don’t deserve it.
Myth #7: Forgiveness is easy.
2TI 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. ---- I didn't say that the apostle Paul said it....not me! The good news is that we have a God that makes the impossible, possible. “For nothing will be impossible with God (Luke 1:37).”
The truth is that bitterness, unforgiveness and anger are a heavy and miserable load to carry.
It’s time to truly experience the victory of forgiveness that can only be found in Christ by laying that heavy burden down at His feet. “For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light" (Mat 11:30).