Forgiving others brings such freedom. It's like taking off a heavy backpack you've been carrying for way too long. There's a real beauty to forgiveness, and anyone who's experienced both giving and receiving it knows what I mean. God is our ultimate example, right? He shows us how it's done and calls us to practice it every single day.
So, I encourage you to forgive, just as Christ forgives you – every single day. It's time to let go and be free. Let's be real, in this life, someone is bound to hurt or offend you. But even then, we're called to learn to forgive and love again. Get that bitterness out of your system. Trust me, it'll help you grow and move forward. It'll even strengthen your relationship with God.
As children of God, we rejoice because we've received forgiveness for our sins through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. But it's important to remember that just as we've been forgiven, our hearts need to be ready to forgive others. Mark 11:251 says, "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses." As long as we repent and are faithful in forgiving others, God will completely forgive us. And that's when we can truly have a fresh start!
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you.
Therefore "If your enemy should hunger, feed him; if he should thirst, give him drink; for by doing this you will heap coals of fire upon his head."
"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as also God in Christ forgave us.
forbearing one another and forgiving yourselves, if anyone should have a complaint against any; just as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And dividing His garments, they cast lots.
Then Peter came to Him and said, "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- seven times.
Repay no one evil for evil; providing that which is good before all men.If possible, as much as depends on you, keeping peace with all men.
not rendering evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called for this purpose, that you may inherit a blessing.
If your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him drink;for so doing you shall heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward you with good.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
If anyone claims, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how is it possible for him to love God whom he has not seen?And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God should love his brother also.
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping to receive nothing back; and your reward shall be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another.By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Love is patient, love is kind; love does not envy; love does not boast, is not puffed up;does not behave disgracefully, does not seek its own, is not provoked to anger, thinks no evil;does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children.And walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a fragrant aroma.
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
And above all things have fervent love for one another, because "love will cover a multitude of sins."
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and blasphemy be removed from you, with all malice.And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as also God in Christ forgave us.
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'But I say to you not to resist an evil person. But whoever shall slap you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Confess your transgressions to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of the righteous is very powerful.
Pursue peace and holiness with all people, without which no one shall see the Lord:looking diligently lest anyone fall from the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness growing up cause trouble, and through this many be defiled;
He that conceals injuries seeks love, but he that hates to hide them separates friends and kindred.
Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day he returns, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."
"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive, that your Father in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience;forbearing one another and forgiving yourselves, if anyone should have a complaint against any; just as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
Be warmly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another;
"Judge not, lest you be judged.For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with what measure you measure, it will be measured back to you.
See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue that which is good, both for one another and for all.
By this we have come to know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives in behalf of our brothers.
(16:5A) The beginning of a good way is to do justly, and it is more acceptable with God than to offer sacrifices.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, as I also had compassion on you?'
Anger slays even wise men, yet a submissive answer turns away wrath; but a grievous word stirs up anger.
who, being verbally abused, did not return verbal insults, when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenlies.
And all things are of God, who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and who gave to us the ministry of this reconciliation,that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not reckoning their transgressions to them, and committing to us the word of this reconciliation.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,even when we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
Thus also My heavenly Father will do to you, if you do not forgive each one his brother their trespasses, from your hearts."
And a servant of the Lord ought not to fight, but to be gentle to all, skillful at teaching, forbearing,in meekness instructing those that oppose, if God perhaps may give them repentance, to a full knowledge of the truth,
"And judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you shall be forgiven.
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
And while they were continuing questioning Him, rising up, He said unto them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to cast a stone at her."
doing nothing according to selfish ambition or conceit, but with humility, regarding one another as being better than yourselves.
And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;
But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I shall by no means remember anymore."
Brothers, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness, looking out for yourself lest you also be tempted.
But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
but speaking the truth in love, we may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ;
But now you yourselves are to put off all these: wrath, anger, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
He who says that he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
The Lord does not delay concerning His promise, as some reckon slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
So then, my beloved brothers, let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Greater love has no one than this, that one should lay down his life on behalf of his friends.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving behind an example for you, that you should follow in His footsteps,"Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth";who, being verbally abused, did not return verbal insults, when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, everyone who judges, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself, for you who judge are practicing the same things.
"Behold, I am sending you forth like sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
And may the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all men, as indeed we also do toward you,so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men,on behalf of kings and all those who are in authority, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
For "He that desires to love life and see good days, let him stop his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile.Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.
And to whom you forgive anything, I also forgive; for if indeed I have forgiven anything, the one whom I have forgiven, I have done so for your sakes in the presence of Christ,lest we be taken advantage of by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
I say to you that likewise there shall be more joy in heaven over one sinner repenting than over ninety-nine righteous who need no repentance.
"And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me.'
We then who are strong are obligated to bear with the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.
Finally, brothers, as many things as are true, as many as are honorable, as many as are just, as many as are pure, as many as are lovely--if there is any virtue and if there is any praise--meditate on these things.
So he answered and said, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.' "
Therefore if I, your Lord and your Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.For I gave you an example, that just as I did to you, you also should do.
Thus let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works, and they may glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Likewise, younger people, subject yourselves to the elders. And all of you be subject to one another, and be clothed with humility, because "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
Let brotherly love remain.Do not forget hospitality, for through this some have unwittingly entertained angels.
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; and everyone that loves has been born of God and knows God.
Finally brothers, farewell. Restore yourselves, comfort yourselves, be in agreement, be at peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?Just as it is written: "For Your sake we are put to death the whole day long; we are accounted as sheep for slaughter."But in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Say not, I will avenge myself on my enemy, but wait on the Lord, that He may help you.
My little children, these things I write to you, that you may not sin. And if someone should sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
Do not refrain from doing good to the poor, whenever your hand may have power to help them.
Brothers, I do not count myself to have laid hold; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,I press toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.
For judgment is without mercy to the one who does not show mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
saying, "Father, if You will, remove this cup from Me--nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."
So therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every impediment, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,looking unto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?Certainly not! We died to sin--How shall we live any longer in it?
having been persuaded of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus;
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power by His Spirit in the inner man,that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; being rooted and founded in love,
So which of these three does it seem to you proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the bandits?"And he said, "the one who showed mercy to him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt becomes tasteless, with what shall it be salted? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and to be trampled underfoot by men.You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not only to me, but also to all those who have loved His appearing.
And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we should ask anything according to His will, He hears us.And if we know that He hears us, whatever we may ask, we know that we have the requests that we have requested from Him.
A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.In a place of green grass, there He has made me dwell; He has nourished me by the water of rest.He has restored my soul; He has guided me into the paths of righteousness, for His name's sake.
Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere love for the brothers, love one another fervently from a pure heart,
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be prepared with a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
And behold, they were carrying a paralytic to Him lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Have courage, child; your sins are forgiven you."
that you should walk worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit and increasing in the full knowledge of God;
We know that everyone begotten of God does not sin; but he that was begotten of God keeps himself, and the evil one does not touch him.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light--for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth,
And not only that, but we also rejoice in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces endurance;and endurance, character; and character, hope.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it shall be given to him.
And my God will supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
The Lord is near to them that are of a contrite heart; and will save the lowly in spirit.
Trust in God with all your heart; and be not exalted in your own wisdom.In all your ways acquaint yourself with her, that she may rightly direct your paths.
Now I beseech you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same opinion.