Scripture reveals that God's radical forgiveness of us becomes the pattern and power for forgiving others.
Scripture on Forgiveness
Matthew 6:14-15
New Testament
"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."
Ephesians 4:32
New Testament
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Colossians 3:13
New Testament
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Psalm 103:12
Old Testament
"As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
Isaiah 43:25
Old Testament
"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more."
The Bottom Line
We forgive others not because they deserve it, but because God first forgave us when we didn't deserve it.
Try Today
Choose one person who has hurt you and pray for God to bless them specifically by name.
Prayer
Jesus taught us to pray for forgiveness and to forgive others in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13).
Father, You have forgiven me completely through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. I confess that I struggle to extend this same grace to those who have wounded me. The hurt runs deep and my heart wants to hold onto the offense. Help me to forgive as You have forgiven me—freely, completely, and without keeping score. Give me Your heart for those who have wronged me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
📚 Read Matthew 18
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