Forgiveness is a central theme in the Bible. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, God calls His people to forgive others just as He has forgiven them. The Bible makes it clear that forgiveness is not optional for the Christian, but rather it is a command and characteristic of the new life in Christ. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical teachings on forgiveness:
1. God Forgives Us
A foundational truth about forgiveness in the Bible is that God is a God of forgiveness. Scripture testifies to God’s willingness to pardon sinners who repent and turn to Him. Some examples include:
– “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” (Exodus 34:6-7).
– “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
– Jesus told a parable illustrating God’s forgiveness in the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).
– On the cross, Jesus prayed for the forgiveness of those crucifying Him saying “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
The basis of God’s forgiveness is His grace and mercy. He does not forgive us because we earn it, but rather He freely chooses to pardon us through Christ’s atonement on the cross. As sinners, we are undeserving of forgiveness, yet God delights in showing mercy (Micah 7:18-19).
2. We Are Called to Forgive Others
If God is so willing to forgive us, then we ought to extend forgiveness to others. The Bible clearly teaches believers to forgive those who sin against them, just as God has forgiven them. Jesus said, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15). He gives forgiveness as a model for how Christians should relate to others: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). We forgive because we have been forgiven.
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to ask God to “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). This implies that our forgiveness of others is connected to receiving forgiveness from God. Of course, God’s forgiveness is not earned by our forgiving others, but rather we must have a forgiving heart if we have truly received His pardoning grace. Unforgiveness towards others can hinder our relationship with God (Mark 11:25).
3. Forgiveness Brings Freedom
Choosing to forgive those who have wronged or offended us sets us free from bitterness, anger and resentment. Forgiveness liberates us from these destructive emotions and enables us to move forward in freedom. As we release the person from their offense against us, we are released from carrying that burden as well.
The Bible encourages us not to take revenge when wronged but instead to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:14-21). We leave room for God’s wrath and justice instead of holding onto our right to get even (Romans 12:19). This leads to inner peace and freedom. As Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Forgiveness frees our hearts from hatred and bitterness.
4. Forgiveness Brings Healing
Choosing to forgive can lead to emotional and even physical healing. Forgiveness is an act of faith in God to heal our wounds and make us whole. When we forgive, we are trusting God to take care of justice and make wrongs right instead of taking matters into our own hands. This allows Him to heal both us and the one who wounded us.
Forgiveness also opens the door for reconciliation and restored relationships. This is why Jesus urges resolving conflict with others before coming to worship God (Matthew 5:23-24). Unforgiveness blocks true fellowship. As Romans 12:18 says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Genuine forgiveness seeks restoration and healing of brokenness.
5. Forgiveness Reflects the Gospel
When Christians forgive others, it gives a picture of the gospel message we believe. It shows the world God’s love and forgiveness extended to humanity through Christ. Jesus told His disciples, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14–15). Our willingness to forgive reflects the Father’s heart.
Paul urged believers to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Ephesians 4:32-5:1). Our forgiveness of others shows that we truly understand and have received God’s gracious forgiveness in our own lives. It displays the power of the gospel to change hearts and relationships.
6. We Must Forgive Completely
The Bible warns against forgiving others narrowly or partially. True forgiveness releases a person fully without demanding payment or penance to “make it right”. Jesus told a parable about an unforgiving servant who had his large debt completely canceled by his master, yet then refused to forgive a small debt owed to him by another (Matthew 18:23-35). Though forgiven much, this servant forgave little.
Likewise, believers who have been freely forgiven all their sins by God must in turn forgive others completely, not harboring resentment or demanding payback. Colossians 3:13 says to “forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Full forgiveness reflects Christ’s forgiveness given sacrificially on the cross. When we have received such extravagant grace, we can extend grace and release others completely from their offenses against us. As Christ forgave and pardoned us fully, we must do the same.
7. Forgiveness is a Process
Though forgiveness is commanded and freeing, it is often a journey for wounded hearts. We may need to pray repeatedly for grace to forgive those who have deeply hurt us. But Jesus still calls us to take steps of obedience in releasing others and not harboring bitterness, even while our emotions lag behind.
As we daily grow in understanding God’s lavish forgiveness of us, we become more able to extend mercy to others. We may need to forgive an offender many times as painful memories resurface. But over time and with the Spirit’s help, unforgiveness can turn into compassion. While forgiveness may take time, it is still a path God calls every believer to walk for freedom and joy.
8. Repentance Aids Forgiveness
When an offender repents and apologizes, it can make forgiveness easier. Yet we are still called to forgive even if the person never repents or asks for pardon. We forgive as an act of grace, not in response to apology.
However, a truly repentant heart can help reconciliation and healing after wrongdoing. When the prodigal son returned home repenting, the father ran to embrace and restore him at once (Luke 15:11-32). Sincere repentance invites forgiveness and restored relationship. But we ultimately forgive in obedience to Christ and by His enabling grace, whether or not an apology ever comes.
9. Forgiveness is Not Optional
Because forgiveness is such a central gospel theme, Scripture gives no option for unforgiveness among believers. We must release others just as God released us from sin’s debt. Unforgiveness grants power to the person who harmed us and blocks our fellowship with God. It poisons our own soul before it injures our offender. As Lewis Smedes wisely wrote: “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”
Though incredibly challenging at times, the Bible commands forgiveness because God knows how much we need it for holiness and health. We must trust Him to bring justice while we walk in freedom through His empowering grace. For our good and His glory, forgiveness is not optional for the Christian.
10. Forgiveness is Empowered By Grace
Forgiveness is not merely a mental decision but a supernatural work of God’s grace in our hearts. We cannot conjure up true forgiveness by sheer willpower. Only through Christ can we release resentment and offer undeserved mercy as He did. “I can forgive, but not in my own strength. The only way is by experiencing the forgiveness of God Himself.” (Corrie ten Boom).
As we grow in understanding Christ’s sacrifice for us, it motivates us to extend grace to others (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). When we feel unable to forgive, we can pray for God’s power to release others as He released us. Forgiveness is a miracle enabled only by His sovereign grace at work in us.
In summary, the Bible gives forgiveness as an essential command and virtue for every Christian. Just as we have been freely pardoned by Christ’s blood, we must freely pardon those who wrong us. Though challenging, forgiveness brings freedom, healing and restoration as we obey Jesus’ call to forgive as we have been forgiven. May God produce radical grace in us to live as forgiven forgivers to His glory.