Scripture reveals that forgiveness isn't a feeling we wait for—it's an act of obedience rooted in what Christ has already done for us.
Scripture on Perdon
Matthew 18:21-22
New Testament
"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'"
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 103:10-12
Old Testament
"He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
Luke 6:37
New Testament
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
Ephesians 4:31-32
New Testament
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, and every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
The Bottom Line
You forgive because you've been forgiven, not because the other person deserves it.
Try Today
Bring one person to mind who has hurt you. Pray for them specifically by name. Don't wait until you feel like it.
Prayer
Jesus invites us into the freedom of forgiveness when He says in Matthew 6:14-15 that if we forgive, our Father will forgive us too.
Father, I carry hurt from someone I need to forgive. The weight of holding onto this is heavy, and I'm tired. Help me see how much I've been forgiven through Christ—how He absorbed my rejection, my failure, my sin on the cross. Give me the courage to release this person from my judgment. I'm choosing to forgive them today, not because they've asked or because it feels good, but because You've shown me mercy first. Make my forgiveness real and lasting. In Jesus' name, Amen.
📚 Read Matthew 18:23-35 — Jesus' parable of the unforgiving servant shows what happens when we refuse to pass on the mercy we've received.
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