The Power Of Forgiveness | Dr. Wilfred Graves | West Angeles Church

Main message: Forgiveness is a Spirit-empowered, commanded choice to release others into God's hands—doing so frees the forgiver from bitterness, opens the door to healing, and shapes us into the likeness of Christ. It is rooted in the mercy we've already received from God and is a process that must be walked out in obedience.

Key points:

• Forgiveness defined: a deliberate, spirit-led decision to release someone from the emotional debt they owe you and entrust justice to God.
• What forgiveness is not: not forgetting, not excusing the wrong, not automatic reconciliation, and not enabling abuse or injustice.
• Forgiveness is commanded (Matt. 6:14–15; Col. 3:13; Eph. 4:32) and flows from remembering the mercy Christ has shown us.
• Forgiveness frees you—it breaks bitterness, allows God's healing to begin, and removes the offender from your “hook” while leaving judgment to God (Rom. 12:19; Heb. 12:15).
• It is a process modeled by Joseph and most fully by Jesus on the cross; feelings may lag behind the will, so begin by deciding to forgive and rely on the Holy Spirit.

Scriptures mentioned: Matthew 6:14-15, Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 4:32, Romans 12:19, Genesis 50:20, Proverbs 19:11, John 14:15, Hebrews 12:15, Matthew 18:21, Psalm 32, Romans 5:8