Forgiveness

Bible Verses About Forgiveness – Read passages that offer biblical guidance on forgiveness and how important it is to forgive others as we have been forgiven by the blood of Christ. With the grace and mercy shown to us, we are always able to start new with God. When we repent, we are given full forgiveness of our sins because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. In light of our new beginning, God commands that in return, we forgive others and extend grace as we have been shown grace. It can be one of the hardest things we face in life! The pain and hurt others cause us is real and great. But, the pain of living with bitterness and unforgiveness can poison your soul and destroy you. When we forgive others, we are not saying what they did was OK, but we are releasing them to God and letting go of it’s hold on us.

To better understand why God commands us to forgive and why it’s so critical to be able to forgive, we have written a detailed article on What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness? Use the below Bible verses to help you begin taking steps towards a right relationship with God and others by accepting and offering forgiveness. Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Matthew 6:14-15 For 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. Luke 17:3-4 So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sistersins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Isaiah 43:25-26 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence. Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace Hebrews 10:17 Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” Daniel 9:9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; Colossians 1:13-14 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Psalm 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Numbers 14:19-21 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. 21 Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth, Micah 7:18-19 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. Matthew 6:9-15 “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from the evil one.’ For 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.

Mark 11:25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Matthew 26:28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Choose Godly friends

Dearly Beloved,
We wanted to reflect today on surrounding ourselves with godly and encouraging individuals.

Surrounding yourself with wicked people will spill into your own behavior. As it says in 1 Corinthians 15:33- “Do not be led astray: Bad company corrupts good morals”

In addition, Hebrews reminds us that it is important to come together and encourage each other as we hold onto this faith we profess!

~Hebrews 10:23-25- “Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy. We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

Remember to stay connected with the people in your life who are encouraging, who renew you spiritually, and who you can lean on. As it says in Bill Withers’ song, “Lean on Me,” we all need somebody to lean on.

~1 Thessalonians 5:11- “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do.”
Amen.

LETTING ANGER GO.

“Don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26-27.

Do not allow the sun to go down on your anger

It happens to all of us. We get bent out of shape by some little comment or action of our spouse. She let the dog out without a leash, and now the neighbor is calling to complain. He left his socks on the floor instead of moving six inches to put them into the laundry hamper. It’s the little things that stimulate distorted anger.

How do we handle our emotions? First, we admit them. “I’m feeling angry.” Second, we refuse to let the anger control us. “So I’m going to take a walk.” Third, we ask ourselves some key questions. Did my spouse do this on purpose? Was he trying to hurt me? Or is this simply the result of being married to a human? Have I done similar things in the past? Is this big enough to talk with my spouse about, or shall I let it go?

Either let it go or talk with your spouse about it. Don’t hold anger inside. The Bible warns that we should get rid of anger before dark. When we hold on to anger, it has a tendency to start controlling us—and, as Paul writes, that gives a “foothold to the devil.” In other words, holding on to anger makes us likely to sin more and more. Our anger becomes increasingly distorted, and that paves the way for all sorts of ugly interactions in a marriage. Anger should be treated as a visitor, never a resident.

Heavenly Father, you know that I sometimes hold on to a grudge against my spouse. Please help me to stop! Remind me to stop my response, figure out why I’m angry, and then decide whether to bring it up with my spouse or to let it go. I need wisdom, Lord, so I don’t let anger take control of me in JESUS Name, Amen.