24/05/2026
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF RESTORATION
Pastor Nkem Daberechi-Oguamah
Texts: Isaiah 43:19, Colossians 3:12-13, Matthew 6:12,14-15, Isaiah 42:9, Luke 5:37-38.
On the other side of restoration lies the new thing God desires to do in our lives. God is always willing to restore, renew, and move us into greater dimensions, but before we can step into that “other side,” there is a gap that must be filled — the gap of forgiveness.
In the context of our Christian faith, forgiveness is the deliberate, grace-filled decision to cancel a debt or release an offence. It mirrors what God did for humanity through the sacrifice of Christ, where He cancelled the debt of sin with the blood of Jesus.
In the same way God forgives us, He expects us to forgive those who offend us, with the help of the Holy Spirit. Forgiveness means letting go of the desire to get even and choosing mercy instead of revenge. It is not optional; it is a command and one of the foundational pillars of the Christian faith.
What Forgiveness Is Not
• Forgiveness does not mean condoning or approving the harm done to you. Rather, it means choosing grace and mercy over retaliation.
• Forgiveness is not selective. It should not be extended to some people and withheld from others.
Why We Should Forgive
• Love and God’s kingdom prosper when we forgive one another (Prov. 12:9).
• Fellowship and unity are preserved when forgiveness is practiced (Heb. 12:15).
• Joy and peace are released into our hearts when we forgive (Ps. 32:1).
• Our own sins are forgiven as we forgive others (Matt. 6:14-15).
Ways We Can Forgive
• By making allowance for the faults and offences of others (Col. 3:13).
• By forgiving repeatedly without keeping count (Matt. 18:22).
• By addressing offences and still extending forgiveness when there is repentance (Luke 17:3).
• By making Christ our standard, just as Jesus forgave those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34).
As believers, we must learn to walk in genuine forgiveness the way God intends. Forgiveness begins with forgiving yourself and accepting God’s mercy for your own shortcomings. When we embrace true forgiveness, we position ourselves for the restoration and new things God wants to bring into our lives.
