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What
Is a Community of Forgiveness?
A
community of forgiveness is a group of people who have come to embrace
as a lifestyle the reality of God’s forgiveness for all people
in all relationships. A community of forgiveness can be
a family, a small group or an entire church.
A
community of forgiveness does more than just receive God’s
forgiveness. A community of forgiveness also practices
forgiving one another and asking each other for forgiveness. They
demonstrate forgiveness demonstrates forgiveness by loving each
other and by loving their enemies. They demonstrate and proclaim
the message of forgiveness enthusiastically to the world.
A
community of forgiveness feels secure in God’s love. A
community of forgiveness knows that God sees incomprehensible value
in every person in spite of his or her sin. A community of forgiveness
is filled with people drawing near to God without fear. There is
no fear in love because fear involves punishment. They know that
God will not punish someone for whom Jesus was already punished.
They know that God is safe and trustworthy.
A
community of forgiveness is sensitive, empathetic and understanding.
A community of forgiveness is quick to comfort and validate a wounded
brother or sister. They are protective of the weak and oppressed.
A
community of forgiveness is bold and caring. A community
of forgiveness is quick to lovingly confront an offending brother
or sister with the goal of bringing about live-saving repentance
and true reconciliation.
A
community of forgiveness is honest. A community of forgiveness
is unafraid to deal with sins openly and honestly. They know that
truth spoken in love is the only way to bring about healing and
restoration.
A
community of forgiveness is inviting. A community of forgiveness
is safe because everyone is welcome and no one is condemned. A community
of forgiveness is full of hope because God can heal broken people.
A community of forgiveness is exciting because it is filled with
people who are becoming more and more like Jesus.
It
is our desire that every Christian group become a community of forgiveness.
How may we help your group become a community of forgiveness?
How
may we help your church?
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