HOW CAN WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO HURT US?

Summary

In the sixth chapter of The Gospel, According to Saint Matthew, Jesus emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, stating that God will forgive us if we forgive others. This message carries both hope and a warning: without forgiveness, we risk losing God's mercy. The script urges us to consider the transient nature of our hurts against the eternal consequences of holding grudges. It calls for courage to forgive, as it is a reflection of God's forgiveness and a key to our eternal future. The Church Fathers advise on overcoming the desire for retribution by recognizing the triviality of our offenses and the eternal impact of our refusal to forgive. The Holy Spirit's work within us can transform and empower us to forgive, love, and show mercy.

Takeaways

• 🙏 Jesus' words in Matthew's Gospel emphasize the importance of forgiveness and its direct correlation with receiving God's forgiveness.
• 🔔 The message serves as both an encouragement and a warning, highlighting the need for hope and the potential consequences of unforgiveness.
• 🕊 Forgiveness is a sign of mercy, and those who show mercy can expect to receive it from God, according to Christ's teachings.
• ⚖️ The refusal to forgive others can lead to a loss of hope for mercy and forgiveness from God during the final judgment.
• 💔 The cycle of pain and hurt can be difficult to break, and dwelling on past wrongs can impede our ability to forgive and receive forgiveness.
• 🌟 The Church Fathers suggest that recognizing the triviality of many hurts and the magnitude of our own sins can aid in the process of forgiveness.
• ⏳ The temporal nature of the hurts we suffer is contrasted with the eternal consequences of our refusal to forgive, which can affect our soul's condition.
• 🕊 Forgiveness is not just a one-time act but a continuous process that requires courage and strength, often likened to bearing a cross.
• 🙌 The call to forgive is a central aspect of the Christian life, and it is through forgiveness that we can hope to receive God's mercy and love.
• 🌈 Trusting in God's love and mercy, and seeking His strength to forgive, is essential for spiritual growth and aligning with Christ's teachings.

Q & A

What is the central message of Jesus' words in the sixth chapter of The Gospel, According to Saint Matthew?

The central message is that forgiveness is a reciprocal act: if you forgive others, God will forgive you, but if you refuse to forgive, you cannot expect mercy from God.

What does the script suggest as a reason to have hope in the context of forgiveness?

The reason to have hope is that Christ assures us that if we forgive others, we will find mercy from God.

How does the script describe the warning associated with Jesus' words on forgiveness?

The warning is stark and should shake us from complacency, indicating that if we refuse to forgive, we cannot hope for forgiveness from God on the day of judgment.

What role does the Lord's Prayer play in the discussion of forgiveness in the script?

The Lord's Prayer serves as a reminder of the connection between our forgiveness of others and God's forgiveness of us, as it includes the phrase 'forgive us our debts, as we forgive others'.

According to the script, what can the cycle of pain and hurt do to our psychology?

The cycle of pain and hurt can cause us to become trapped in revisiting past and present hurts, making it difficult to break free and potentially leading to a desire for vengeance or retribution.

What advice do the Church Fathers offer to help with the process of forgiveness?

The Church Fathers advise us to remind ourselves of the trivial nature of many hurts and the vastness of our own sins, comparing what we forgive in others with what we hope to be forgiven by God.

Why do the Church Fathers say that the hurts committed against us have no eternal bearing on our soul?

The Church Fathers assert that the hurts committed against us are transient and will end with death, having no impact on our eternal soul or judgment.

What is the potential eternal consequence of refusing to forgive according to the script?

Refusing to forgive can result in an eternal evil against our soul, marking it with an evil that we carry into judgment.

How does the script encourage us to view the temporary nature of the hurts we experience?

The script encourages us to weigh the temporary evil committed against us against the eternal evil we commit by refusing to forgive, and to consider the eternal consequences of our actions.

What does the script suggest we should do when we struggle to forgive others?

When struggling to forgive, the script suggests asking God to soften our hearts and to trust in God's love, protection, and mercy.

What role does the Holy Spirit play in our ability to forgive according to the script?

The Holy Spirit is described as the transformative force within us that gives us the strength to forgive, love, and show mercy, working through God's grace.

Outlines

00:00

🙏 Forgiveness and Divine Mercy

In the sixth chapter of The Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, stating that if we forgive others, God will forgive us. This is both a message of hope and a stern warning. The hope lies in the promise of mercy from God for those who show mercy, while the warning cautions that those who refuse to forgive will not receive forgiveness on the Day of Judgment. The passage also touches on the psychological struggle of letting go of past hurts and the human tendency to dwell on grievances. It suggests that the desire for vengeance or retribution can prevent us from receiving God's forgiveness. The Church Fathers offer guidance on how to cultivate forgiveness, reminding us of the triviality of our own sins compared to the enormity of God's forgiveness, and the transient nature of the hurts we suffer in life.

05:00

🕊 The Eternal Consequences of Forgiveness

This paragraph delves into the eternal implications of our choice to forgive or not. The Church Fathers remind us that the hurts we suffer are transient and have no eternal bearing on our soul. However, our refusal to forgive can mark our soul with an evil that may be eternal. They encourage us to consider the temporary nature of the wrongs done to us against the eternal state of our soul, which we will present before God on Judgment Day. The passage calls us to reflect on the eternal consequences of our actions, to weigh the temporary against the eternal, and to seek the grace to forgive as a means of aligning ourselves with God's mercy. It also speaks to the courage required to forgive and the transformative power of God's grace in enabling us to forgive and show mercy.

10:02

🌟 The Cross of Forgiveness

The final paragraph highlights the difficulty and the necessity of forgiveness, likening it to taking up a cross. It acknowledges the pain and struggle involved in letting go of hurts and the natural human inclination to seek justice or retribution. The passage encourages us to remember that even Christ, who suffered greatly, showed mercy. It calls for trust in God and reliance on His love, protection, and mercy. It suggests that our desire for vengeance is worldly and transient, while our willingness to forgive is eternal. The paragraph concludes with an invitation to ask God to soften our hearts, enabling us to love and forgive, even when it seems a difficult burden to bear.

Keywords

💡Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the act of pardoning or ceasing to hold a grudge against someone for a wrong they have committed. In the context of the video, forgiveness is a central theme, emphasized by Jesus' teachings where He states that if we forgive others, God will forgive us. The video script uses the concept of forgiveness to illustrate the importance of letting go of past hurts to receive mercy and forgiveness from God, as exemplified by the phrase 'if you forgive man their trespasses, God will forgive you.'

💡Mercy

Mercy refers to compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. The video script connects mercy with the divine, suggesting that God will show mercy to those who are merciful. It is used to encourage viewers to forgive others, as a reflection of the mercy they seek from God, as indicated by 'God will show Mercy to all those who are merciful.'

💡Trespasses

Trespasses, in the script, represent the wrongdoings or offenses committed by one person against another. The video uses the term to emphasize the need for forgiveness, as Jesus instructs followers to forgive others their trespasses to receive forgiveness for their own. It is part of the reciprocal nature of forgiveness discussed in the script, as seen in 'if you forgive man their trespasses, God will forgive you.'

💡Judgment

Judgment, in this context, refers to the评估 or decision-making process, particularly in a religious sense, regarding the righteousness or unrighteousness of one's actions. The video script warns that those who refuse to forgive may not receive forgiveness from God on the day of judgment, highlighting the gravity of holding onto grudges and the importance of forgiveness, as mentioned in 'we cannot hope to expect mercy and forgiveness from God on the day of judgment.'

💡Vengeance

Vengeance is the act of retaliating against someone in response to a perceived wrongdoing. The video script cautions against seeking vengeance, suggesting that harboring a desire for retribution can prevent one from receiving God's forgiveness. It is positioned as an obstacle to forgiveness and a barrier to spiritual growth, as noted in 'if we have a desire for vengeance... we make ourselves incapable of receiving God's forgiveness.'

💡Retribution

Retribution is the act of giving back what one considers one's due, often in the form of punishment for a wrong received. The script discusses retribution as a desire that can hinder forgiveness, illustrating the human tendency to want justice for oneself, which can lead to a lack of forgiveness towards others, as expressed in 'if we... have a desire for Retribution... we cannot hope to expect mercy.'

💡Church Fathers

The Church Fathers are early Christian theologians and bishops whose teachings have significantly influenced Christian theology and practice. In the video, the Church Fathers are referenced as authorities on the soul and forgiveness, offering guidance on how to approach forgiveness and the importance of recognizing the transient nature of worldly hurts compared to eternal spiritual health, as they advise 'everything that is committed against us... has no Eternal existence.'

💡Eternal

Eternal, in the video, refers to something that lasts forever or is unending, often used in the context of the afterlife or spiritual matters. The script contrasts temporary, worldly hurts with the eternal consequences of one's actions, such as refusing to forgive, which can have lasting effects on one's soul, as highlighted in 'the harm that we can do ourselves by refusing to forgive, it can be eternal.'

💡Cross

The term 'cross' is used metaphorically in the video to represent the burdens or challenges that one must bear, particularly in the context of Christian sacrifice and suffering. Forgiveness is described as a 'cross' that one must take up, symbolizing the difficulty and the spiritual significance of the act, as expressed in 'it can be crucifixion, it can be to face Injustice... to try to forgive.'

💡Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is a central figure in Christianity, representing the divine presence and guidance of God. In the video, the Holy Spirit is mentioned as the force that can work within individuals to enable them to forgive, love, and show mercy, as stated 'God's grace will work in us will transform us will give us the strength, to forgive to love to show Mercy.'

Highlights

Jesus' words in Matthew 6 emphasize the importance of forgiveness as a path to receiving God's mercy.

Forgiveness is presented as both a hopeful promise and a stern warning against complacency.

The Lord's Prayer is cited as a model for seeking forgiveness and offering it to others.

The emotional cycle of holding onto past hurts is acknowledged as a common human struggle.

Vengeance and retribution are contrasted with the need for forgiveness, highlighting the spiritual danger of the former.

The Church Fathers are introduced as guides to understanding the soul's depth and the path to forgiveness.

A reminder to consider the triviality of our offenses against the vastness of our own sins is offered as a perspective for forgiveness.

The temporal nature of the hurts we suffer is contrasted with the eternal consequences of our refusal to forgive.

The eternal impact of our forgiveness or lack thereof on our soul's condition before God is emphasized.

The Church Fathers advise on the importance of recognizing the transient nature of worldly offenses.

The potential for eternal harm to our souls through holding grudges is a central warning.

The opportunity to repent and forgive while we are alive is highlighted as a precious gift from God.

The call to forgive others as a reflection of God's mercy and forgiveness towards us is reiterated.

Forgiveness is described as a courageous act that may require strength and the cross to bear.

The transformative power of God's grace and the Holy Spirit in enabling forgiveness is discussed.

The choice to dwell in anger or to forgive is presented as a pivotal decision with eternal consequences.

A call to trust in God's love, protection, and mercy, setting aside worldly desires for retribution.

The challenge to soften our hearts and glimpse love for others, despite the pain they may have caused, is issued.

The stark and frightening nature of Christ's warning is acknowledged, yet hope in God's transformative love is upheld.

Transcripts

in the sixth chapter of The Gospel

According to Saint Matthew we have the

words of Jesus where he says if you

forgive man their trespasses

God will forgive you

if you forgive man their trespasses

God will forgive you

in these words of Jesus

we should hear both an encouragement

a reason to have hope

but also a very Stark warning

a warning that should make us shake and

tremble she 'll Shake us from our

complacency

it is a statement of Hope because Christ

assures us that if we forgive

we will find Mercy

God will show Mercy to all those who are

merciful

but it is a warning

a warning that if we choose to refuse to

forgive

we cannot hope to expect mercy and

forgiveness from God on the day of

judgment

as we rush to that moment of our death

as we rush to the moment of judgment

let us remember

we cannot simply be casual we cannot

simply say oh well God is so loving God

is so forgiving everything will be fine

God says to us if you forgive

I will forgive Jesus taught us in the

Lord's Prayer forgive us our debts

as we forgive others

when we think of this when we think of

our hurts

sometimes

the cycle of pain in our emotions our

psychology

can go round and round for years as we

contemplate as we remember the hurts

past and present

the people have committed against us

and sometimes that cycle is very

difficult to break out of

and sometimes

we can get comfortable

in this experience of revisiting those

hurts

but Jesus makes it very clear

if we have a desire for vengeance if we

have a desire for Retribution if we

cling to hatred for anything that

someone has done to us

we make ourselves incapable of receiving

God's forgiveness

how can this not but make us tremble

who can look at themselves

and with all honesty not see any desire

or anger for something

somebody has done to us and desire some

kind of Retribution for this even in

some small way to be shown to be right

to be shown

to be

unjustly treated

that desire for justice for ourselves

can lead to condemnation of others

and as weak human beings

we may look at this and say how then can

anyone be saved

how can we hope

to find forgiveness when we know so

often we lack forgiveness ourselves

the church fathers those

great psychologists

not of the mind so much as the soul the

true depths of the human being

they tell us

there are roots to this forgiveness

there are ways we can think there are

ways to look at other people and what

they do that will help us to forgive

Church fathers tell us first of all

we should constantly remind ourselves of

the the trivial nature of so many of

these hurts the reality of what it is we

we constantly remember

trivial nature of those hurts that we

condemn others for

and the the vastness of our own sins the

vastness of a lifetime of hurt committed

against God of Disobedience of rebellion

when we compare them

when we compare what we are called to

forgive in others with what we hope to

be forgiven by God

how can we

but not

tremble

at our own Injustice in the way that we

treat other people compared with what we

hope for from God

it is we who are being unjust

but there is another important factor in

this

the church fathers say to us

everything that is committed against us

in this life

has no

Eternal existence

it will have no Eternal bearing on our

soul what other people do to us even

when those hurts have gone on for many

years even if those hurts last a

lifetime

a death they will come to an end

the hurts committed against by others

transient

the church fathers remind us

they can have no bearing on our

condition a judgment but

if we choose

to refuse to forgive

we we commit an evil against our soul

that may be eternal

we enter judgment

with this evil that we

have marked our soul with

the harm that we can do ourselves by

refusing to forgive

it can be eternal

the Church Father say to us let us

Ponder the reality of this

when we are feeling annoyed angry

Desiring some kind of Justice

let us remember that these things will

pass

but what we are doing the condition of

our soul

will be what we bring before God on

Judgment Day

and it will be eternal

so let us weigh up the temporary

temporary evil committed against us

against the Eternal evil that we commit

and let us think of all those people who

through the generations

have refused to forgive and are now dead

how they would long for even an hour a

moment of life to repent and to forgive

others that they may find Mercy

we are here now we have breath we have

life

in his mercy God has given us this life

that we may lay hold of his Mercy

lay hold of his forgiveness

and part of the way that we do this is

by showing forgiveness for others now

this is our calling now in this life

let us hear the words of Jesus

if you forgive others their trespasses

God will have mercy and forgive you

this is the time

that decides our future our Eternal

future

so long as we have breath so long as as

the heart beats

we can forgive

in our prayers

let us always ask God to strengthen us

to give us the courage and strength to

forgive others

and it takes courage at times

because to forgive can be a cross that

we take up

it can be crucifixion

it can be to face Injustice

face the pain

and to be willing to try to love to try

to forgive

to try to pray for that person's

salvation

when they've caused us so much pain

what a cross it is to take up

what a heroic demand it makes on us

this is the Christian calling

this this warning that Christ gives is

Stark and it's frightening

but we must have hope

we have hope that in his love for us

God's grace will work in us will

transform us will give us the strength

to forgive to love to show Mercy

this is the work of the Holy Spirit

within us

but we can deny this very work that God

does in US deny the grace of God by

refusing to ref to forgive we can choose

state of mind that dwells in this anger

the dwells in feelings of longing of

Retribution

let's put these things aside let us

trust in God

Place ourselves entirely in the love

protection and mercy of God

these things that we long for that are

sinful

are of the world

they are of the world and they will pass

and they will be nothing

our willingness or unwillingness to

forgive

is eternal

if we struggle to forgive

then let us ask God to soften our hearts

often our hearts with his grace

soften our hearts

to even begin to Glimpse love for others

yes it is a kind of cross that we are

called to lift

and at times

it may seem too difficult

when our mind lingers on those pains

those hurts it may seem so difficult to

take up this cross

but let us remember

we have heard Christ more than anyone

has hurt us

and even in the face of this hurt

Christ is willing to show Mercy