By Josh Wiley
FORGIVING someone can be difficult. The Bible can provide inspiration and direction on why and how to forgive others. Check out these 10 verses.
Most of us need encouragement to offer up forgiveness to others that have hurt us. Here are 10 encouraging Bible verses on the topic of forgiveness. I hope you enjoy them.
Why is God so particular that we forgive others?
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Top 10 Bible Verses about Forgiveness
#1 Because we are sinners we should forgive others
Matthew 6:14-15 NIV
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
#2 Be ready to forgive over and over again
Matthew 18: 21-22 NIV
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? “Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
#3 Confess and God will forgive you for your sins
1 John 1:9 NIV
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
#4 Love will lead to forgiving others
Numbers 14:19-20 NIV
In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.” The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked.”
#5 Priority when it comes to forgiving others
Matthew 5:23-24 NIV
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”
#6 Forgive others rather than judge others
John 8:7 NIV
When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
#7 A remarkable example of forgiveness
Acts 7:59-60 NIV
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
#8 Jesus is our Model
Luke 23:33-34 NIV
When they came to a place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
#9 Jesus’ command to us
Luke 17:3-4 NIV
So watch yourselves. “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says , ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”
#10 How to treat enemies
Romans 12:20 NIV
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
We are blessed to have God’s word to guide our lives and our actions. Let us go forth and live by His words about forgiveness.
