On Forgiveness

Got this of one of the bible studies I attended with Ambrose when I was there last year in Brisbane.

"Forgiveness"

Forgiveness means resolving to live with the consequences of another person's sin. You don't forgive others for their sake; you do it for you sake.

12 Steps to Forgiveness

1. Ask the Lord to reveal to your mind the people you need to forgive.
2. Acknowledge the hurt and the hate.
3. Understand the significance of the Cross (Hebrews 10:10)
4. Decide you will bear the burden of each person's sin (Galations 6:1-2)
5. Decide to forgive.
6. Take your list to God and pray the following: "I forgive (name) for (list all the offenses and how they made you feel)."
7. Destroy the list.
8. Do not expect your decision to forgive will result in major changes in the other person.
9. try to understand the people you have forgiven, but don't rationalize their behavior.
10. Expect positive results of forgiveness in you.
11. Thank God for the lessons you have learned and the maturity you have gained as a result of the offenses and your decision to forgive the offenders (Romans 8:28-29)
12. Be sure to accept your part of the blame for the offenses you suffered

-Taken from "Victory over the Darkness" Chapter 11 (Pg 192-195)