Dear brothers and sisters, the profound truth that only God can forgive sins is a cornerstone of our faith. The Bible teaches us that forgiveness is a divine attribute, one that only our Heavenly Father possesses in its fullest measure. This understanding humbles us and draws us closer to God’s infinite grace and mercy.
Throughout the Scriptures, we see clear evidence that forgiveness comes from God alone. When Jesus healed the paralytic, He proclaimed, “Your sins are forgiven.” The Pharisees were taken aback and questioned, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” This moment reveals the divine authority of Jesus and underscores the belief that forgiveness is solely within God’s jurisdiction.
Our human limitations prevent us from fully grasping the magnitude of God’s forgiveness. We can forgive one another on a personal level, but the forgiveness of sins, which cleanses our souls and grants us eternal life, is solely a divine act. This is why we must approach God with repentant hearts, seeking His mercy and grace.
Consider the story of King David, who, after committing grievous sins, turned to God in repentance. His heartfelt plea for forgiveness in Psalm 51 demonstrates his understanding that only God could cleanse him from his iniquities. David’s story serves as a powerful reminder that no matter our transgressions, God’s forgiveness is always available to those who earnestly seek it.
In another instance, Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant teaches us that while we are called to forgive others, ultimate forgiveness belongs to God. The servant, who was forgiven a great debt by his master, refused to forgive a minor debt owed to him. This parable illustrates the contrast between human forgiveness and God’s boundless mercy.
Dear friends, let us always remember that the forgiveness of sins is a divine gift. We are called to humble ourselves, confess our sins, and seek God’s forgiveness with sincere hearts. In doing so, we experience the transformative power of His grace and the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Dear friends, now let’s see the Bible scriptures below that talk about only God can forgive sins.
“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
“Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?”
— Mark 2:7
“That repentance remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem”
— Luke 24:47
“The scribes the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”
— Luke 5:21
“He said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven”
— Luke 7:48
“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, will not remember thy sins”
— Isaiah 43:25
“Let the wicked forsake his way, the unrighteous man his thoughts: let him return unto the Lord , he will have mercy upon him; to our God, for he will abundantly pardon”
— Isaiah 55:7
“To the Lord our God belong mercies forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him”
— Daniel 9:9
“Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases”
— Psalm 103:3
“I acknowledge my sin unto thee, mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord ; thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah”
— Psalm 32:5
“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 mercy”
— Micah 7:18
“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
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you”
— Matthew 6:14
“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, go unto thine house”
— Matthew 9:6
“Be it known unto you therefore, men brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins”
— Acts 13:38
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace”
— Ephesians 1:7
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins”
— Colossians 1:14
“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, their sins their iniquities will I remember no more”
— Hebrews 8:12
“Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained”
— John 20:23
“Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, whose sins are covered”
— Romans 4:7
“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