Our relationships are often harmed when we try to atone for our own sins while condemning the other person for his.

The decision to forgive is first a heart transaction between you and God. It is a willingness to give up your desire to hold onto (and in some way punish the person for) his offense against you. Instead, you entrust the person and the offense to God, believing that he is righteous and just. You make a decision to respond to this person with an attitude of grace and forgiveness.

It's inevitable. If you live with other sinners, you will have conflict. The closer you are to someone, the more potential there is for conflict. Relationships are costly, but so is avoiding them.

Even if he never does this, I am called to maintain an attitude of forgiveness toward the offender.

Our template or road map is Ephesians 4. As you read it, ask yourself what it says about (1) the struggle of self-interest and (2) God's agenda for our relationships. This passage will be the grid you can use to look at the issues of relationship we address in this book.

Yet we are most true to our identity and calling when we live in the midst of broken people.

Do people regularly feel bruised in their relationship with you?

we all must remember that our relationships have been designed as workrooms for redemption, not shelters for human happiness.

Godly conflict is an act of compassion!

When we choose to practice true forgiveness, the relationship is not just brought back to where it was before the offense; it actually moves further down the road to maturity.

Forgiveness Involves Canceling a Debt

Forgiveness Is Costly, But Not Forgiving Is More Costly