What Does The Bible Say About Forgiveness?

Forgiveness is a central theme throughout Scripture. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible teaches us that forgiveness is essential to our relationship with God and with others.

Forgiveness is not always easy. It often requires humility, repentance, and a willingness to let go of anger and resentment. But the Bible tells us that forgiveness is worth it. When we forgive, we are freed from the bitterness and pain of the past. We can move on with our lives and experience the joy and peace that comes from living in God’s forgiveness.

If you’re struggling to forgive someone who has hurt you, turn to the Bible for guidance. These verses about forgiveness will help you understand what God says about this important topic.

What the Bible Says About Forgiving Others

There are several key Bible verses about forgiveness. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus says,

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)

This passage makes it clear that our forgiveness from God is conditional on our willingness to forgive others.

In Luke 6:37, Jesus says,

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;” Luke 6:37 (ESV)

This verse teaches us that forgiveness is a two-way street. If we want to experience forgiveness, we must be willing to extend it to others.

Ephesians 4:32 says,

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

This verse reminds us that we are called to forgive others just as God has forgiven us. When we accept Christ as our Savior, our sins are forgiven. In the same way, we are called to extend forgiveness to others.

Colossians 3:13 says,

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

This verse teaches us that forgiveness is an act of love. When we forgive, we are showing kindness and compassion to others, just as God has shown us.

What the Bible Says About Being Forgiven by God

In addition to verses about forgiving others, there are also several key Bible verses about being forgiven by God.

In 1 John 1:9, we read,

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” 1 John 1:9 (NLT)

This verse tells us that when we confess our sins, God is ready and willing to forgive us. He will cleanse us from all sin and make us pure again.

In Isaiah 43:25, we read,

“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” Isaiah 43:25 (NIV)

This verse reminds us that when we repent of our sins and turn to God, He will forgive us. He will forget our sins and remember them no more.

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we read,

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

This verse tells us that when we become Christians, we are made new creations. Old things have passed away and all things have become new. This includes our relationship with God. When we trust in Christ, our sins are forgiven and we are given new life.

The Importance of Forgiveness

As these verses make clear, forgiveness is essential to our relationship with God and with others. When we forgive, we are extending the same grace and mercy to others that God has extended to us. We are also obeying God’s command to love one another.

Forgiveness is not always easy. It may be necessary to forgive someone who has hurt us deeply. But we can take comfort in knowing that God will give us the strength to forgive, just as he has forgiven us.

When we forgive, we are also choosing to let go of anger and resentment. We are choosing to move forward with our lives, free from the pain of the past. Forgiveness is a gift we give to ourselves as much as it is a gift to others.

The next time you are struggling to forgive someone, remember that forgiveness is an act of love. It is an act of obedience to God. And it is a step toward healing and freedom.

How to Forgive Others

If you are struggling to forgive someone who has hurt you, here are a few tips that may help:

Pray for the person who hurt you.

Prayer is a powerful weapon against anger and resentment. When we pray for those who have hurt us, we are asking God to bless them. We are also asking God to help us let go of our bitterness and anger.

Ask God to help you forgive.

Forgiveness is not always easy. But it is possible with God’s help. Ask God to give you the strength and wisdom to forgive those who have hurt you.

Focus on your relationship with God.

When we are hurt by others, it can be tempting to focus on our pain. But when we focus on our relationship with God, we are reminded of his love for us. We are also reminded of the forgiveness he has extended to us.

Don’t dwell on the past.

Forgiveness is a choice to let go of the pain of the past and move forward with your life. It does not mean that what happened was okay. But it does mean that you are choosing to release the anger and resentment you feel.

Talk to someone you trust about what happened.

It can be helpful to talk to a trusted friend or family member about what happened. This can help you process your feelings and start to let go of them.

How to be Forgiven by God

If you have sinned against God or someone else, there are also steps you can take to be forgiven.

Acknowledge your sin.

The first step is to acknowledge that you have sinned. This means admitting that you have done something wrong and that you are sorry for it.

Repent of your sin.

The next step is to repent of your sin. This means turning away from it and choosing to live a different way.

Ask for forgiveness.

The third step is to ask God or the other person for forgiveness. This shows that you are willing to make things right and that you are sorry for what you have done.

Make things right if you can.

If you have hurt someone, try to make things right if you can. This may mean apologizing or making amends.

Forgive yourself.

It is also important to forgive yourself. This doesn’t mean that what you did was okay. But it does mean that you are willing to let go of the pain and move on with your life.

The Benefits of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a choice we make to let go of the pain of the past and move forward with our lives. It is not always easy, but it is always worth it. Forgiveness brings healing to our lives and relationships. It also brings us closer to God.

When we forgive, we are also choosing to love. And that is always a good choice.

Conclusion

Forgiveness is an act of love. It is an act of obedience to God. And it is a step toward healing and freedom. If you are struggling to forgive someone who has hurt you, pray for them, ask God for help, and don’t dwell on the past. If you have sinned against God or someone else, acknowledge your sin, repent of it, and ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness is always worth it. It brings healing to our lives and relationships and brings us closer to God.