What the Bible Tells Us About Forgiveness
The Bible tells us a lot about forgiveness. We’re taught from a young age to forgive, because God has forgiven us.
But it’s not always that simple. How do we forgive those people who’ve wronged us? How do we forgive ourselves when we know we’ve messed up?
Here’s what the Bible has to say about forgiveness.
- Forgive as God has forgiven you. “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” -Colossians 3:13
- Forgiveness can look like kindness. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” -Ephesians 4:32
- When we forgive others, God forgives us. “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” -Matthew 6:14
- God forgives us when we confess our sins. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” -1 John 1:9
- God doesn’t hold our sins against us. “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” -Isaiah 43:25
Forgiveness doesn’t just benefit the person we forgive; it also releases us from its ties and gives us freedom from sin. Who has God placed on your heart to forgive today?
To learn more about forgiveness, check out our newest study series, 70X7.
