The following quotes and ideas come from
One of the good men in our church asked me to read this book. It is a good book well worth your time reading. You will see some great quotes as you read the following:
Forgiveness is agreeing to live with the consequences of another person’s sin. Forgiveness is costly; we pay the price of the evil we forgive. Yet you’re going to live with those consequences whether you want to or not; your only choice is whether you will do so in the bitterness of unforgiveness or the freedom of forgiveness. That’s how Jesus forgave you–He took the consequences of your sin upon Himself. All true forgiveness is substitutional, because no one really forgives without bearing the penalty of the other person’s sin.
This is quoted in the book but is actually a quote by Neil Anderson in his book the Bondage Breaker.
Here are some more quotes on forgiveness and the process of healing and restoration and the three distinct stages involved:
- Forgiveness has to do with the past. Forgiveness is not holding something someone has done against her. It is letting go. It only take one to offer forgiveness. And just as God has offered forgiveness to everyone, we are expected to do the same. Matthew 6:12. 18:35
- Reconciliation has to do with the present. It occurs when the other person apologizes and accepts forgiveness. It takes two to reconcile.
- Trust has to do with the future. It deals with both what you will risk happening again and what you will open yourself up to. A person must show through his actions that he is trustworthy before you trust him again, Matthew 3:8, Proverbs 4:23
This quote comes from Henry Cloud and John Townsend in How to have that Difficult Conversation You’ve Been Avoiding
The author states:
Restoration will not be easy for anyone. The upright partner must open himself or herself to the possibility of re injury. The repentant partner must endure the excruciating process of self-examination and reformation. The rebuilding of the marriage will be fraught with danger and marked by setbacks. And, truth be told, few couples make it. Nevertheless, redemption is possible, not only for individuals but for couples. Given the right environment and expert guidance, God can raise a temple of extraordinary grace from the ashes of sin. But it won’t happen automatically. Reconciliation and restoration must be intentional. Redemption requires tough love backed by consequences and actions that have genuine impact.
This book was worth it for the quotes on forgiveness alone. It certainly also has some questions and answers for those who are in horrible marriages where one of the partners is consumed with drunkenness or adultery!
Check out bcwe.org
