Bible Verses on Forgiveness
Introduction
This page gathers together some of the best scriptures on forgiveness.
Forgiveness is a topic with many dimensions; however, at its core, it deals with the grace (unmerited favor) that God extends toward us as a model of kindness and compassion for all of our relationships.
I hope you will be inspired and encouraged by these scriptures on forgiveness. Below each bible verse, I have added a small commentary to help you reflect on a particular aspect of forgiveness.
Scriptures on Forgiveness – God Forgives Us
Luke 23:43
And he [Jesus] said to him [the thief on the cross], “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with me in Paradise.”
While on the cross, Jesus lay between two thieves, one hurling insults and the other recognizing that Jesus was no ordinary man.
Before the second thief took his last breath, he asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom thus acknowledging Jesus’ true identity.
To this request, Jesus replied with the words above. They forever changed the thief’s destiny and demonstrated that God will forgive you no matter what you’ve done as long as your cry is heartfelt.
Psalm 25:18
“Look upon my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.”
Psalm 25 is a heartfelt plea for God’s protection as well as forgiveness of sin. The Psalmist asks God to remember his kindness in pardoning sin. Finally, the Psalmist promises to always keep his eyes focused on the Lord where justice can be found.
Psalm 32:5
“I acknowledged my sin to you, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’; and you forgave the guilt of my sin.”
The first step in spiritual restoration after failing God is to acknowledge that you have done something wrong. The second step is to confess that wrong. Apart from that, the guilt and the shame will continue to linger even as we attempt to bury them.
Psalm 51:2
“Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
This is part of David’s great Psalm of contrition before the Lord after he committed many grievous sins against Bathsheba and Uriah. David says something important in this Psalm when he states, “against you and you only have I sinned o Lord.”
God will not turn away a penitent heart and he will surely respond to our please to be cleansed from the damaging effects of our own sins.
Psalm 51:10-12
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.”
When we sin against the Lord, we may feel impure, distant from God and even lose the joy of being a Christian and being in relationship with the Lord.
In this part of the Psalm, David seeks a full restoration of his conscious, spirit and emotions.
2 Chronicles 7:14
“And if my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
This is one of my favorite scriptures on forgiveness. This passage seeks humility from God’s people, seeks a turning away from their sin and promises God’s forgiveness when true repentance occurs.
Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
In the above scene, Peter thought he was being generous with his forgiveness. “Is seven times enough?” he asked, when speaking about forgiveness. Jesus responded by directing him toward a radical forgiveness policy. Indeed, after this command, Jesus went on to tell the parable of the unmerciful servant who was forgiven much but did not extend that grace when it was his turn to forgive. He was severely punished for his lack of mercy (Matt 18:23-35)