The Heart of Forgiveness Luke 15: 12-32

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22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 32It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

1)  Love is really understood through Christ’s forgiveness.

2)  Forgiveness does not lose respect for the consequences of sin.

3)  Forgiveness relies on God to do the judging. 

God balances grace and justice. 

In justice, the focus is on authority.    Typically man abuses his delegated authority.

In forgiveness, the focus is on surrender.

The heart of Christ is humility.  Typically man’s focus on authority is not humble, but his 

focus on surrender is.  

If the believer overfocuses on justice he loses compassion for the lost.

If the believer overfocuses on grace and mercy he misrepresents God’s nature and belittles 

the cross.  The believer needs God’s balance.

Thus, forgiveness aligns the heart with that of Christ.

4)  Forgiveness understands the greatest loss is to remain unforgiven.

5)  Forgiveness looks to eternity for equity.

6)  Forgiveness is a welcome message to the unprotected (lost man) as well as to the protected (believer in Christ) heart..

7)  Forgiveness always wins..