Good one day everyone on this day before Independence Day. Here in the United States last time last week,

we address sibling rivalries, a common theme in the Bible and a concern we should have for our own

homes today. Sibling rivalries was Thursys theme in APJ 1954 was the episode number. And today we look

at forgiving family members. The question is from a listener to the podcast, a young man who lives

in Brazil. He writes this, Hello, Pastor John. Thank you for this podcast, which has been a huge

resource God has used in my own sanctification. My question for you is this, my family struggles to

forgive each other and it's been this way for years. They argue along the line that even Jesus was

harsh with his enemies. So why should I forgive my enemies? How would you answer them in dealing

with hurt in the past? What is the difference between Jesus dealing with his enemies like the Pharisees

contrasted with what God expects from us in dealing with our own family members who have sinned against us?

This is utterly crucial. It's a matter of life and death. And I mean eternal life and death as we

will see in just a moment. So I take this question really seriously. And I hope this family will take

the issue seriously also. First, let's clarify what forgiveness is and isn't. That's a huge

stumbling block for a lot of people when they start arguing about whether they should forgive or

not. They don't pause to define what it is and isn't. So let's do that. Number one, forgiveness is

not thinking or saying or acting as though no great wrong was done. A great wrong may well have been

done against you. Number two, forgiveness is not reestablishing a wonderful relationship.

In Romans 1218 Paul said, if possible, so far as it depends on you live peaceably with all,

it may not be possible. He also said in Colossians 313, bear with one another

and if one has complaint against another, forgiving each other. Now bearing with one another

means literally endure one another for bear one another. In other words, there will be

frustrating, annoying, even hurtful things about others that know a mount of forgiveness will fix.

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