Dear brothers and sisters,
Forgiving each other is a fundamental principle taught throughout the Bible. It is an act that reflects the heart of God and His unconditional love for us. Forgiveness is not just a suggestion; it is a command that helps us live in harmony and peace with one another. When we forgive, we release the burden of anger, resentment, and bitterness, allowing the love of Christ to flow through us.
Consider the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph, sold into slavery by his own siblings, had every reason to harbor hatred and seek revenge. Yet, when he encountered them years later, he chose to forgive and reconcile. He understood that God’s hand was at work, even in his suffering, and that forgiveness would bring healing and restoration to his family.
Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of forgiveness. He taught us to forgive not just once, but seventy times seven times, indicating that forgiveness should be limitless. On the cross, in His moment of deepest agony, Jesus asked for forgiveness for those who crucified Him, showing us the ultimate example of grace and mercy.
Forgiving others mirrors the forgiveness we receive from God. We all fall short and make mistakes, yet God, in His infinite mercy, forgives us when we repent. When we forgive, we are extending that same grace to others, acknowledging that we too are in need of forgiveness. This act of grace can break the chains of hurt and pain, leading to freedom and peace.
Forgiveness also fosters unity within the body of Christ. Holding onto grudges can create divisions, but forgiveness binds us together in love. It allows us to support and uplift one another, reflecting the unity that Christ prayed for among His followers.
Dear friends, forgiveness is a powerful testimony of God’s love. It is not always easy, but through prayer and the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can forgive and experience the joy and peace that comes from it. Let us strive to forgive as God forgives us, showing the world the transformative power of His love.
Dear friends, now let’s see the Bible scriptures below that talk about forgiving each other.
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace”
— Ephesians 1:7
“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you”
— Ephesians 4:32
“Forbearing one another, forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye”
— Colossians 3:13
“Then came Peter to him, said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, I forgive him? till seven times?Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven”
— Matthew 18:21-22
“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against theeLeave there thy gift before the altar, go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, then come offer thy gift”
— Matthew 5:23-24
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you”
— Matthew 6:14
“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; if he repent, forgive himAnd if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him”
— Luke 17:3-4
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. they parted his raiment, cast lots”
— Luke 23:34
“Judge not, ye shall not be judged: condemn not, ye shall not be condemned: forgive, ye shall be forgiven”
— Luke 6:37
“When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses”
— Mark 11:25
“Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins”
— Proverbs 10:12
“He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends”
— Proverbs 17:9
“Confess your faults one to another, pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”
— James 5:16
“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head”
— Romans 12:20
“Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way”
— Romans 14:13
“For all have sinned, come short of the glory of GodBeing justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”
— Romans 3:23-24
“Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, whose sins are covered”
— Romans 4:7
“Their sins iniquities will I remember no more”
— Hebrews 10:17
“Come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord : though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool”
— Isaiah 1:18
“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, will not remember thy sins”
— Isaiah 43:25
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us”
— Psalm 103:12
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered”
— Psalm 32:1
“Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercyHe will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea”
— Micah 7:18-19
“Repent ye therefore, be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord”
— Acts 3:19
“To the Lord our God belong mercies forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him”
— Daniel 9:9
“Refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious merciful, slow to anger, of great kindness, forsookest them not”
— Nehemiah 9:17
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, renewing of the Holy Ghost”
— Titus 3:5
“They shall teach no more every man his neighbour, every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord : for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord : for I will forgive their iniquity, I will remember their sin no more”
— Jeremiah 31:34
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted”
— Galatians 6:1
“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand”
— Philippians 4:5