Salvation is the main thing but is the goal! True freedom isn’t an event but a path of life! Your response to wounds and offenses determines the path you will walk on! Colossians 3:12-13 NLT “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. 13 Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” John 8:36 [AMP] So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (Entirely, unquestionably, and truly free). Mark 5:1-3 If you hang out in the tombs, don’t be surprised if you get an unclean spirit. Mark 5:6 There is complete and total in Jesus Christ. You can live the rest of your life offense free! Dr. Edwin Louis Cole “The only thing that ever gets offended is your flesh. Your spirit never gets offended.” **7 Keys to True Freedom ** 1.Take a Heart Inventory Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any and everyone that you have not fully released from past hurts and offenses. Your heavenly father’s deep desire is for you to live in . Psalm 139:23-24 Psalms 139:23-24 [TPT] “God, I invite your searching gaze into my heart. Examine me through and through; find out everything that may be hidden within me. Put me to the test and sift through all my anxious cares. See if there is any path of pain I’m walking on, and lead me back to your glorious, everlasting way— the path that brings me back to you.” Psalms 139:23-24 [NIV] Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. An offensive way in Hebrew is the way of pain and sorrow caused by sin or idolatry. Matthew 6:14-15 “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” “Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace.” Make a Faith-based Decision to “Release the Prisoners” Based on the forgiveness that Jesus has shown you, determine to release any and everyone who has offended or sinned against you. This is a decision before it’s an emotion! “Build an Altar” by Declaring, Out Loud, Your Decision to Forgive Romans 10:9-10 Freedom doesn’t come until you speak it out. SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION: Word Faith Belief Confession Spiritual transformation is a new reality based on the Word of God 2 Corinthians 4:13 True Freedom comes to us as we speak out forgiveness. Sample Prayer of Release: Father, right now, based on what Jesus has done for me on the cross and the unlimited forgiveness I have received, I forgive and release ___________________ for the wound and pain they caused me when they ___________________. I declare today that I am releasing them from the prison of unforgiveness I have held them in, and by your grace, I will never hold their sin against them again. When the emotions and memories return, I will return to this altar and remind my heart of the spiritual reality that is being established here today. Sometimes you need to go back to the altar but not to forgive again,but to remind yourself of the spiritual reality you are establishing by choosing to forgive. You can forgive what you cannot forget! Your emotions will eventually catch up to your confession! It is natural not to forget. It is spiritual and supernatural to forgive what you can’t forget. Seek Reconciliation when Possible. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Reconcile (katallassō) it means to return to favor and right relationship – to not count people’s sins against them. Forgiveness requires us to confront our emotions and take steps towards healing and reconciliation. “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” Ghandi Matthew 18:15 Matthew 5:23-24 God wants you to go through the process so that you can live on the path of true freedom! Seek Restoration of the Relationship (when available and appropriate). Restoration means to restore to original value and purpose. To restore something that was lost or stolen. God wants us to restore broken relationships. Especially in families! Romans 12:18 You are responsible to do your part, but you are not responsible for their immaturity or unwillingness to reconcile. Pray Blessing Over Them Matthew 5:43-45 Pray for them, until you get the heart of the father for them. Walk The Path of Freedom with Those Who Can “Bear Your Burden” The path to freedom is never traveled alone! We do not heal in isolation. We all need people in our lives who love you deeply, know you well and will bear your burdens! You need people who will weep with you. John 11:33 Galatians 6:2 John 11:43-44