This video segment is one of six presentations in the “Creating a Gospel-Centered Marriage: Communication” seminar. There will be four more seminars in this series covering the subjects: foundations, finances, decision making, and intimacy. As those presentations are ready they will be posted on this blog.
GCM Communication Part 6 from Equip on Vimeo.
Plumb Lines: These are the “sticky” statements that capture the core messages of this chapter.
We never forgive more than we’ve been forgiven.
Unforgiveness is the choice to define your spouse by his/her faults.
Forgiveness is not a method to be learned as much as a truth to be lived.
The possibility of a lasting, happy marriage can be measured by a couple’s willingness to forgive.
“Let” – We do have control over whether we choose to forgive; we can’t control the consequences of our choice.
“All” – God’s will is that we free ourselves from bitterness by Christ’s payment for our sin and the sin against us.
“Put away” – A difficult commitment of forgiveness is to quit entertaining ourselves with painful memories.
“Be kind” – We often get caught trying to force the fruit (forgiveness) instead of planting the seed (kindness).
“As God in Christ” – We are following in Christ’s footsteps of forgiveness not pioneering new territory.
“Their marriage rusted into brokenness by the daily rain of the little drops of unforgiveness (p. 90)….The harvest of forgiveness is the kind of marriage everyone wants (p. 97)… Forgiveness stimulates appreciation and affection. When we forgive one another daily, we do not look at one another through the lens of our worst failures and biggest weaknesses (p. 98).” Paul Tripp in What Did You Expect?