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Forgiveness is such a simple concept, why have a book about it? Primarily because the distance from concept to reality can feel like a chasm. After many years of Christian life and service I thought I understood forgiveness pretty well – I had even spoken on the subject! Then, like so many others, I experienced the decimation of some close personal friendships. Faced with intense feelings of betrayal I realised my previous understanding was impotent to help me forgive. Through the straightforward but life-changing message in this book I not only saw the gaping holes in my ‘theology’ of forgiveness but more importantly managed to cross the chasm of unforgiveness – some of those who I doubted I could ever speak to again are now among my closest friends and partners in ministry.
John Gibson Singer/Songwriter
Just two weeks ago, travelling around the UK on a national seminar tour for marketing professionals, I spent hours speaking to a young man about the need for forgiveness. I have done this countless times in my life and on every occasion the material I instinctively use comes from Joff Day’s book. It has never failed to help. In fact in my own travels, at any time and in any part of the world, I often come across people in need of freedom from unforgiveness. There is only one book I point them to – Forgive Release and Be Free! It has been a blessing and a release to scores of my contacts. I encourage pastors to keep copies in stock and ready for use.
David Oliver Author of Work: Prison or Place of Destiny and co-author of Church That Works
Joff offers keen insight into the practical application of the truth of biblical forgiveness. As John Wimber offered the body of Christ a practical model for healing prayer, Joff has created a practical model for ministering forgiveness. My wife and I had the unique opportunity of spending several weeks with Joff and the folks he works with, learning to forgive and release. It was nothing less than life-changing. We in turn have ministered it to others, who glow with the results of being free from bitterness, anger and resentment.
Michael Mathias Businessman
Joff’s book carries a life-changing message which, sadly, too many fail to apply. What kind of a world would we live in and how many doctors’ waiting rooms would be emptied if we outworked on our lives the principle of forgive and release? Read the book and recover your health!
Dave and Chris Richards Salt & Light Ministries
We found Forgive, Release and Be Free! to be an important book as it takes those who respond to its message into an experience beyond what is normally taught on forgiveness. Full release and freedom within has been experienced by those who have acted upon its message. We heartily recommend the book.
Don and Heather Double Good News Crusade
This book has revolutionised the way we minister to people in the church. Most people who need help in a discipleship or pastoral context have forgiveness issues to deal with. Joff’s book has virtually become required reading for church members and is a set text in many of our training programmes.
Nic Harding Frontline
Forgive, Release and Be Free! is one of the handful of books that we encourage every member of our congregation to read. Its message is absolutely fundamental to embracing the freedom that Jesus wants for every Christian. There are very few who are not impacted and blessed by Joff’s clear and insightful teaching.
David Stanley Heartlands Church
Acknowledgements
Foreword
What Others Have Said About This Book
Introduction
1 A Wounded Heart
2 Roots, Fruit, Seeds and Soil
3 Debts and Debtors
4 The Unforgiving Servant
5 The Soil of Insecurity
6 The Seed of Offence
7 The Manure of Judgement
8 The Root of Bitterness
9 The Fruit of Resentment
10 The Torture Chamber
11 Opening the Books
12 Settling Accounts
13 Staying Free
14 Forgiveness Brings Healing
15 Questions I Am Asked Frequently
16 Forgiveness Works!
Appendix A How to Become a Christian
Appendix B Visual Aids to Sharing Forgiveness
Cindy Dunlavey –
This is the BEST book I have read on the very important subject of forgiveness. Every pastor should have this book in their personal library. It is that good a read and that fundamental for liviing the victorious Christian life in Christ Jesus.
AngelBourne –
I am so glad to see this book back in print. It is the only biblically sound book I know that really explains how to let go of unforgiveness and why we all need to.
I have given all my previous copies away and I had been scouring the web for months trying to find this book again….to re-read myself and to give some copies to some friends overseas that wanted it. If I had to choose just one book to have (besides the bible) …this would be it.
Buy it.
steveolney –
I was recommended this book by a counsellor I was seeing and helped me to realise that forgiveness is an action and not passive “sucking up pain” as I had done before. 10 years after buying I still use what I learned from this invaluable book.
ED Nichols –
This would be valuable on every church’s bookshelf’. It challenges us to look honestly at our own ideas and experiences of forgiveness. Perhaps we have said the words but still feel we are owed. When we release ourselves and others from that debt then, and only then will we be free.
Anon –
Probably the most practical book on forgiveness ever written
Joff Day uses the words forgive and release to convey one Biblical concept – forgiveness. Jesus taught clearly that to forgive is also to release. Sadly, there are many people who do not under stand this. Some have been taught by well meaning people that even though they may have forgiven someone for an issue, if they are still hurting over the issue, they will have to forgive them again and again (for the same issue) until the hurt finally disappears.
He shows that if Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness was to be understood correctly, they would see that they had not forgiven ‘from their heart’ in the first place. They may have made a mental decision to ‘forgive’, but their heart had not ‘released’ the offender from the debt. That is why they still hurt concerning the issue.
There is much hurt and mistrust even in the Church today. Some of it lingers on because the principles of forgiveness have not been fully understood. This book seeks to explain forgiveness, not create a ‘forgiveness plus …’ gospel. For many people I have spoken to, understanding forgiveness as ‘forgiving and releasing’, has helped them resolve many unresolved hurts from their past, and come into a new freedom. It has also helped them make a commitment for the future to forgive as Jesus taught, whatever circumstances come their way.
If you have ever had cause to forgive anyone or think you may need to now or in the future, then this book is for you!
C. Martin –
bought it because i’d already read it and thought everyone i know needs to read it too
ronstringer –
This is a book that really can change lives. The simple premise that there is more to forgiveness than just forgiving – that we need to ‘release’ the debt we are owed, knowing that it can never be repaid has incredible power. You’ll need to buy at least two copies – you are bound to want to share it with others!