VERSES ABOUT FORGIVENESS

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 sayto you, loveyour enemiesand prayfor thosewho persecuteyou,

"But I sayto you who hear,loveyour enemies,dogoodto thosewho hateyou,blessthosewho curseyou, prayfor thosewho mistreatyou.

"BUT IFYOUR ENEMYIS HUNGRY,FEEDHIM, AND IFHE IS THIRSTY,GIVE HIM A DRINK;FOR IN SODOINGYOU WILL HEAPBURNINGCOALSON HIS HEAD."

"For ifyou forgiveothersfor their transgressions,your heavenlyFatherwill alsoforgiveyou."But ifyou do not forgiveothers,thenyour Fatherwill not forgiveyour transgressions.

Be kindto one another,tender-hearted,forgivingeach other,justas Godin Christalsohas forgivenyou.

bearingwith one another,and forgivingeach other,whoeverhasa complaintagainstanyone;justas the Lordforgaveyou, soalsoshould you.

But Jesuswas saying,"Father,forgivethem; for they do not knowwhatthey are doing."And they castlots,dividingup His garmentsamongthemselves.

ThenPetercameand saidto Him, "Lord,how oftenshall my brothersinagainstme and I forgivehim? Up to seven times?"Jesussaidto him, "I do not sayto you, up to seven times,but up to seventy timesseven.

Neverpay backevilfor evilto anyone.Respectwhat is rightin the sightof allmen.Ifpossible,so faras it dependson you, be at peacewith allmen.

not returningevilfor evilorinsultfor insult,but giving a blessinginstead;for you were calledfor the verypurpose that you might inherita blessing.

Do not rejoicewhen your enemyfalls,And do not let your heartbe gladwhen he stumbles;

Ifyour enemyis hungry,givehim foodto eat;And ifhe is thirsty,givehim waterto drink;For you will heapburning coalson his head,And the LORDwill rewardyou.

"Be merciful,justas your Fatheris merciful.

"Blessedare the peacemakers,for they shall be calledsonsof God.

But GoddemonstratesHis ownlovetowardus, in that while we were yetsinners,Christdiedfor us.

Ifsomeonesays,"I loveGod,"and hateshis brother,he is a liar;for the one who does not lovehis brotherwhomhe has seen,cannotloveGodwhomhe has not seen.And thiscommandmentwe havefrom Him, that the one who lovesGodshould lovehis brotheralso.

"But loveyour enemies,and do good,and lend,expectingnothingin return;and your rewardwill be great,and you will be sonsof the Most High;for He Himselfis kindto ungratefuland evil[men].

"A newcommandmentI giveto you, that you loveoneanother,evenas I have lovedyou, that you alsoloveone another."By thisall menwill knowthat you are My disciples,ifyou havelovefor one another."

Loveis patient,loveis kind[and] is not jealous;lovedoes not brag[and] is not arrogant,does not act unbecomingly;it does not seekits own,is not provoked,does not take into accounta wrong[suffered],does not rejoicein unrighteousness,but rejoiceswith the truth;bearsallthings,believesallthings,hopesall things,enduresall things.

Thereforebe imitatorsof God,as belovedchildren;and walkin love,justas Christalsolovedyou and gaveHimselfup for us, an offeringand a sacrificeto Godas a fragrantaroma.

Nevertakeyour ownrevenge,beloved,but leaveroomfor the wrath[of God], for it is written,"VENGEANCEIS MINE,I WILL REPAY,"saysthe Lord.

As faras the eastis from the west,So farhas He removedour transgressionsfrom us.

Aboveall,keepferventin your lovefor one another,becauselovecoversa multitudeof sins.

Hatredstirsup strife,But lovecoversalltransgressions.

Let allbitternessand wrathand angerand clamorand slanderbe put awayfrom you, alongwith allmalice.Be kindto one another,tender-hearted,forgivingeach other,justas Godin Christalsohas forgivenyou.

"You have heardthat it was said,AN EYEFOR AN EYE,AND A TOOTHFOR A TOOTH.'"But I sayto you, do not resistan evilperson; but whoeverslapsyou on your rightcheek,turnthe otherto him also.

Ifwe confessour sins,He is faithfuland righteousto forgiveus our sinsand to cleanseus from allunrighteousness.

And forgiveus our debts,as we alsohave forgivenour debtors.

Therefore,confessyour sinsto oneanother,and prayfor one anothersothat you may be healed.The effectiveprayerof a righteous mancanaccomplishmuch.

Pursuepeacewith all men,and the sanctificationwithoutwhichno onewill seethe Lord.Seeto it that noonecomes shortof the graceof God;that norootof bitternessspringingup causes trouble,and by it manybe defiled;

He who concealsa transgressionseekslove,But he who repeatsa matterseparatesintimatefriends.

"Be on your guard!Ifyour brothersins,rebukehim; and ifhe repents,forgivehim."And ifhe sinsagainstyou seventimesa day,and returnsto you seven times,saying,'I repent,'forgivehim."

Therefore,acceptone another,justas Christalsoacceptedus to the gloryof God.

"Wheneveryou standpraying,forgive,ifyou haveanythingagainstanyone,sothat your Fatherwhois in heavenwill alsoforgiveyou your transgressions.

So,as those who have been chosenof God,holyand beloved,puton a heartof compassion,kindness,humility,gentlenessand patience;bearingwith one another,and forgivingeach other,whoeverhasa complaintagainstanyone;justas the Lordforgaveyou, soalsoshould you.

"Blessedare the merciful,for they shall receive mercy.

A man'sdiscretionmakeshim slowto anger,And it is his gloryto overlooka transgression.

[Be] devotedto oneanotherin brotherly love;give preferenceto one anotherin honor;

"Do not judgesothat you will not be judged."For in the wayyou judge,you will be judged;and by your standardof measure,it will be measuredto you.

For You, Lord,are good,and readyto forgive,And abundantin lovingkindnessto allwho callupon You.

Seethat noonerepaysanotherwith evilfor evil,but alwaysseek afterthat which is goodfor one anotherand for all people.

We knowloveby this,that He laiddownHis lifefor us; and we oughtto lay downour livesfor the brethren.

Lovedoesnowrongto a neighbor;thereforeloveis the fulfillmentof [the] law.

"Treatothersthe same wayyou wantthem to treatyou.

When a man'swaysare pleasingto the LORD,He makesevenhis enemiesto be at peacewith him.

Thereforethere is nownocondemnationfor thosewho are in ChristJesus.

"Thisis My commandment,that you loveone another,justas I have lovedyou.

Shouldyou not alsohave hadmercyon your fellow slave,in the same waythat I had mercyon you?'

A gentleanswerturnsawaywrath,But a harshwordstirsup anger.

Ceasefrom angerand forsakewrath;Do not fret;[it leads] onlyto evildoing.

and while being reviled,He did not revile in return;while suffering,He utterednothreats,but kept entrusting[Himself] to Him who judgesrighteously;

For our struggleis not againstfleshand blood,but againstthe rulers,againstthe powers,againstthe world forcesof thisdarkness,againstthe spiritual[forces] of wickednessin the heavenly[places].

Departfrom eviland dogood;Seekpeaceand pursueit.

Nowall [these] thingsare from God,whoreconciledus to HimselfthroughChristand gaveus the ministryof reconciliation,namely,that Godwas in Christreconcilingthe worldto Himself,not countingtheir trespassesagainst them, and He has committedto us the wordof reconciliation.

But God,beingrichin mercy,becauseof His greatlovewith whichHe lovedus,evenwhen we were deadin our transgressions,made us alive togetherwith Christ(by graceyou have beensaved),

"AND THEIR SINSAND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDSI WILL REMEMBERNOMORE."

"My heavenlyFatherwill alsodothe sameto you, ifeachof you does not forgivehis brotherfrom your heart."

The Lord'sbond-servantmustnot be quarrelsome,but be kindto all,able to teach,patient when wronged,with gentlenesscorrectingthosewho are in opposition,if perhapsGodmay grantthem repentanceleadingto the knowledgeof the truth,

"Do not judge,and you will not be judged;and do not condemn,and you will not be condemned;pardon,and you will be pardoned.

For ifwhile we were enemieswe were reconciledto Godthroughthe deathof His Son,muchmore,having been reconciled,we shall be savedby His life.

But whenthey persistedin askingHim, He straightenedup, and saidto them, "He who is without sinamong you, let him [be the] firstto throwa stoneat her."

"HE MUST TURN AWAYFROM EVILAND DOGOOD;HE MUST SEEKPEACEAND PURSUEIT.

A fool'sangeris knownat once,But a prudentmanconcealsdishonor.

with allhumilityand gentleness,with patience,showing tolerancefor one anotherin love,

Do nothingfrom selfishnessorempty conceit,but with humility of mindregardone anotheras more importantthan yourselves;

and we toil,workingwith our ownhands;when we are reviled,we bless;when we are persecuted,we endure;

The LORDis graciousand merciful;Slowto angerand greatin lovingkindness.

"The secondis likeit, 'YOU SHALL LOVEYOUR NEIGHBORAS YOURSELF.'

But you, whydo you judgeyour brother?Oryou again,whydo you regardyour brotherwith contempt?For we will allstand beforethe judgment seatof God.

"FOR I WILL BE MERCIFULTO THEIR INIQUITIES,AND I WILL REMEMBERTHEIR SINSNOMORE."

Brethren,evenifanyoneis caughtin anytrespass,you who are spiritual,restoresuch a onein a spiritof gentleness;[each one] lookingto yourself,sothat you toowill not be tempted.

"But goand learnwhatthis means:I DESIRECOMPASSION,AND NOT SACRIFICE,'for I did not cometo callthe righteous,but sinners."

The mercifulmandoeshimselfgood,But the cruelmandoeshimselfharm.

but speaking the truthin love,we are to growup in all[aspects] into Him whois the head,[even] Christ,

But nowyou also,putthem allaside:anger,wrath,malice,slander,[and] abusive speechfrom your mouth.

"The goodmanout of the goodtreasureof his heartbringsforthwhat is good;and the evil[man] out of the evil[treasure] brings forthwhat is evil;for his mouthspeaksfrom that which fillshis heart.

"Blessedare the gentle,for they shall inheritthe earth.

The one who sayshe is in the Lightand [yet] hateshis brotheris in the darknessuntilnow.The one who loveshis brotherabidesin the Lightand there is nocause for stumblingin him.But the one who hateshis brotheris in the darknessand walksin the darkness,and does not knowwherehe is goingbecausethe darknesshas blindedhis eyes.

He who pursuesrighteousnessand loyaltyFindslife,righteousnessand honor.

The Lordis not slowabout His promise,as somecountslowness,but is patienttowardyou, not wishingfor anyto perishbut for allto cometo repentance.

So thenwe pursuethe things which make for peaceand the buildingup of one another.

[This] you know,my belovedbrethren.But everyonemust be quickto hear,slowto speak[and] slowto anger;for the angerof mandoes not achievethe righteousnessof God.

"Greaterlovehasno onethan this,that onelay downhis lifefor his friends.

In Him we haveredemptionthroughHis blood,the forgivenessof our trespasses,accordingto the richesof His grace

For you have been calledfor thispurpose, sinceChristalsosufferedfor you, leavingyou an examplefor you to followin His steps,WHOCOMMITTEDNOSIN,NORWAS ANY DECEITFOUNDIN HIS MOUTH;and while being reviled,He did not revile in return;while suffering,He utterednothreats,but kept entrusting[Himself] to Him who judgesrighteously;

Thereforeyou haveno excuse,everyoneof you who passesjudgment,for in that whichyou judgeanother,you condemnyourself;for you who judgepracticethe same things.

"Behold,I sendyou out as sheepin the midstof wolves;sobe shrewdas serpentsand innocentas doves.

and may the Lordcauseyou to increaseand aboundin lovefor one another,and for all people,justas we also[do] for you;sothat He may establishyour heartswithout blamein holinessbeforeour Godand Fatherat the comingof our LordJesuswith allHis saints.

Firstof all,then,I urgethat entreaties[and] prayers,petitions[and] thanksgivings,be madeon behalfof allmen,for kingsand allwho are in authority,sothat we may leada tranquiland quietlifein allgodlinessand dignity.

For, "THE ONEWHO DESIRESLIFE,TO LOVEAND SEEGOODDAYS,MUST KEEPHIS TONGUEFROM EVILAND HIS LIPSFROM SPEAKINGDECEIT."HE MUST TURN AWAYFROM EVILAND DOGOOD;HE MUST SEEKPEACEAND PURSUEIT.

But onewhomyou forgiveanything,I [forgive] also; for indeedwhatI have forgiven,ifI have forgivenanything,[I did it] for your sakesin the presenceof Christ,sothat noadvantage would be takenof us by Satan,for we are not ignorantof his schemes.

"I tellyou that in the same way,there will be [more] joyin heavenoveronesinnerwho repentsthanoverninety-ninerighteous personswhoneednorepentance.

"The Kingwill answerand sayto them, 'TrulyI sayto you, to the extentthat you didit to oneof thesebrothersof Mine,[even] the least[of them], you didit to Me.'

Nowwe who are strongoughtto bearthe weaknessesof thosewithout strengthand not [just] pleaseourselves.Eachof us is to pleasehis neighborfor his good,to his edification.

Finally,brethren,whateveris true,whateveris honorable,whateveris right,whateveris pure,whateveris lovely,whateveris of good repute,ifthere is anyexcellenceand ifanythingworthy of praise,dwellon these things.

[Let] love[be] without hypocrisy.Abhorwhat is evil;clingto what is good.

And he answered,"YOU SHALL LOVETHE LORDYOUR GODWITH ALLYOUR HEART,AND WITH ALLYOUR SOUL,AND WITH ALLYOUR STRENGTH,AND WITH ALLYOUR MIND;AND YOUR NEIGHBORAS YOURSELF."

Let allthat you do be donein love.

"IfI then,the Lordand the Teacher,washedyour feet,you alsooughtto washone another'sfeet."For I gaveyou an examplethat you alsoshould doas I didto you.

"Let your lightshinebeforemenin such a waythat they may seeyour goodworks,and glorifyyour Fatherwho is in heaven.

You younger men,likewise,be subjectto [your] elders;and allof you, clotheyourselves with humilitytoward one another,for GODIS OPPOSEDTO THE PROUD,BUT GIVESGRACETO THE HUMBLE.Thereforehumbleyourselves underthe mightyhandof God,that He may exaltyou at the proper time,

Let love of the brethrencontinue.Do not neglectto show hospitality to strangers,for by thissomehave entertainedangelswithout knowingit.

For the wholeLawis fulfilledin oneword,in the [statement], "YOU SHALL LOVEYOUR NEIGHBORAS YOURSELF."

Beloved,let us loveone another,for loveis from God;and everyonewho lovesis bornof Godand knowsGod.

Finally,brethren,rejoice,be made complete,be comforted,be like-minded,live in peace;and the Godof loveand peacewill be with you.

Whowill separateus from the loveof Christ?Will tribulation,ordistress,orpersecution,orfamine,ornakedness,orperil,orsword?Justas it is written,"FOR YOUR SAKEWE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATHALLDAYLONG; WE WERE CONSIDEREDAS SHEEPTO BE SLAUGHTERED."But in allthese thingswe overwhelmingly conquerthroughHim who lovedus.

Do not say,"I will repayevil";Waitfor the LORD,and He will saveyou.

My little children,I am writingthese thingsto you sothat you may not sin.And ifanyonesins,we havean Advocatewith the Father,JesusChristthe righteous;

"Blessedare thosewho hungerand thirstfor righteousness,for they shall be satisfied.

Ordo you not knowthat your bodyis a templeof the HolySpiritwho is in you, whomyou havefrom God,and that you are not your own?For you have been boughtwith a price:thereforeglorifyGodin your body.

Do not withholdgoodfrom those to whom it is due,When it is in your powerto do[it].

Brethren,I do not regardmyselfas having laid holdof [it] yet;but one thing[I do]: forgettingwhat [lies] behindand reaching forwardto what [lies] ahead,I presson towardthe goalfor the prizeof the upwardcallof Godin ChristJesus.

And we knowthat Godcausesall thingsto work togetherfor goodto thosewho loveGod,to thosewho are calledaccordingto [His] purpose.

"I have been crucifiedwith Christ;and it is no longerI who live,but Christlivesin me; and the [life] whichI nowlivein the fleshI liveby faithin the Sonof God,who lovedme and gaveHimselfup for me.

For judgment[will be] mercilessto one who has shownnomercy;mercytriumphs overjudgment.

saying,"Father,ifYou are willing,removethiscupfrom Me; yetnot My will,but Yoursbe done."

Therefore,since we haveso greata cloudof witnessessurroundingus, let us alsolay asideeveryencumbranceand the sinwhich so easily entanglesus, and let us runwith endurancethe racethat is set beforeus,fixing our eyeson Jesus,the authorand perfecterof faith,whofor the joyset beforeHim enduredthe cross,despisingthe shame,and has sat downat the right handof the throneof God.

Do not be deceived:"Badcompanycorruptsgoodmorals."

Whatshall we saythen?Are we to continuein sinsothat gracemay increase?May it neverbe! Howshall we whodiedto sinstilllivein it?

[For I am] confidentof thisvery thing,that He who begana goodworkin you will perfectit untilthe dayof ChristJesus.

that He would grantyou, accordingto the richesof His glory,to be strengthenedwith powerthroughHis Spiritin the innerman,so that Christmay dwellin your heartsthroughfaith;[and] that you, being rootedand groundedin love,

"Thereforeyou are to be perfect,as your heavenlyFatheris perfect.

"Whichof thesethreedo you thinkprovedto be a neighborto the man who fellinto the robbers'[hands]?"And he said,"The one who showedmercytowardhim." ThenJesussaidto him, "Goand dothe same."

He madeHim who knewnosin[to be] sinon our behalf,sothat we might becomethe righteousnessof Godin Him.

"You are the saltof the earth;but ifthe salthas become tasteless,howcan it be made salty[again]? It is nolongergoodfor anything,exceptto be thrownout and trampled under footby men."You are the lightof the world.A cityseton a hillcannotbe hidden;

For of His fullnesswe have allreceived,and graceupon grace.

I have foughtthe goodfight,I have finishedthe course,I have keptthe faith;in the futurethere is laidup for me the crownof righteousness,whichthe Lord,the righteousJudge,will awardto me on that day;and not onlyto me, but alsoto allwho have lovedHis appearing.

Thisis the confidencewhichwe havebeforeHim, that, ifwe askanythingaccordingto His will,He hearsus.And ifwe knowthat He hearsus [in] whateverwe ask,we knowthat we havethe requestswhichwe have askedfrom Him.

The LORDis my shepherd,I shall not want.He makes me liedownin greenpastures;He leadsme besidequietwaters.He restoresmy soul;He guidesme in the pathsof righteousnessFor His name'ssake.

Since you have in obedienceto the truthpurifiedyour soulsfor a sincerelove of the brethren,ferventlyloveone anotherfrom the heart,

being diligentto preservethe unityof the Spiritin the bondof peace.

"But seekfirstHis kingdomand His righteousness,and allthese thingswill be addedto you.

for it is Godwho is at workin you, bothto willand to workfor [His] good pleasure.

but sanctifyChristas Lordin your hearts,always[being] readyto make a defenseto everyonewho asksyou to give an accountfor the hopethat is in you, yetwith gentlenessand reverence;

And they broughtto Him a paralyticlyingon a bed.Seeingtheir faith,Jesussaidto the paralytic,"Take courage,son;your sinsare forgiven."

"Godis spirit,and thosewho worshipHim mustworshipin spiritand truth."

so that you will walkin a manner worthyof the Lord,to please[Him] in allrespects,bearing fruitin everygoodworkand increasingin the knowledgeof God;

"Blessedare the poorin spirit,for theirsis the kingdomof heaven.

Sofaith[comes] from hearing,and hearingby the wordof Christ.

We knowthat noonewho is bornof Godsins;but He who was bornof Godkeepshim, and the evil onedoes not touchhim.

for you were formerlydarkness,but nowyou are Lightin the Lord;walkas childrenof Light(for the fruitof the Light[consists] in allgoodnessand righteousnessand truth),

And not onlythis, but we alsoexultin our tribulations,knowingthat tribulationbrings aboutperseverance;and perseverance,provencharacter; and proven character,hope;

But ifanyof you lackswisdom,let him askof God,who givesto allgenerouslyand withoutreproach,and it will be givento him.

And my Godwill supplyallyour needsaccordingto His richesin gloryin ChristJesus.

"PeaceI leavewith you; My peaceI giveto you; not as the worldgivesdo I giveto you. Do not let your heartbe troubled,norlet it be fearful.

The LORDis nearto the brokenheartedAnd savesthose whoare crushedin spirit.

"The steadfastof mindYou will keepin perfectpeace,Becausehe trustsin You.

Trustin the LORDwith allyour heartAnd do not leanon your own understanding.In allyour waysacknowledgeHim, And He will makeyour pathsstraight.

for allhave sinnedand fall shortof the gloryof God,

NowI exhortyou, brethren,by the nameof our LordJesusChrist,that you allagreeand that there be nodivisionsamongyou, but that you be made completein the samemindand in the samejudgment.

Prayer