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 say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you, and persecute you;

But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to them who hate you,Bless them that curse you, and pray for them who despitefully use you.

Therefore if thy enemy hungereth, feed him; if he thirsteth, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

For, if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man hath a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?Jesus saith to him, I say not to thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.If it is possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but on the contrary, blessing; knowing that ye are called to this, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Rejoice not when thy enemy falleth, and let not thy heart be glad when he stumbleth:

If thy enemy shall hunger, give him bread to eat; and if he shall thirst, give him water to drink:For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD will reward thee.

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called children of God.

But God commendeth his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

If a man sayeth, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he hath not seen?And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God, love his brother also.

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil.

A new commandment I give to you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place to wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity will cover a multitude of sins.

Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil-speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.But I say to you, That ye resist not evil: but whoever shall strike thee on thy 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.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much.

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:Looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up, trouble you, and by it many be defiled;

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother shall trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he shall repent forgive him.And if he shall trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day shall turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man hath a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;

Judge not, that ye be not judged.For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and the measure which ye give, shall be measured to you again.

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and abundant in mercy to all them that call upon thee.

See that none render evil for evil to any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

By this we perceive the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Love worketh no ill to one's neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Shouldst thou not also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee?

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

And all things are from God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,Even when we were dead in sins, hath made us alive together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do to you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

And the servant of the Lord must not contend; but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient,In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God perhaps will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth:

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

So when they continued asking him, he raised himself, and said to them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

Let him shun evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it.

A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love;

Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

And labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it;

The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

And the second is like it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy 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 iniquities will I remember no more.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual, restore such one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, who is the head, even Christ:

But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart, bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart, bringeth forth that which is evil: for from the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because darkness hath blinded his eyes.

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things with which one may edify another.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

For even to this were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:Who committed no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whoever thou art, that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest, doest the same things.

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one towards another, and towards all men, even as we do towards you:To the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

I exhort therefore, that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men;For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:Let him shun evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it.

To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes I forgave it, in the person of Christ;Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

I say to you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who need no repentance.

And the king will answer and say to them, Verily I say to you, Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it to me.

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things.

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

Let all your things be done with charity.

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves to the elder. Yes, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Let brotherly love continue.Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for by this some have entertained angels unawares.

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is from God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in 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 peril, or sword?As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.But in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that loved us.

Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

My little children, these things I write to you, that ye sin not. And if any man sinneth, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled.

What, know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God, and ye are not your own?For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thy hand to do it.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are before,I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

And we know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

For he shall have judgment without mercy that hath shown no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

Saying, Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done.

Wherefore, seeing we also are encompassed with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Be not deceived: Evil communications corrupt good manners.

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?By no means: how shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor to him that fell among the robbers?And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus to him, Go, and do thou likewise.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt hath lost its savor, with what shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot by men.Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

And of his fullness have we all received, and grace for grace.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing.

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:And if we know that he heareth us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired from him.

A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit to unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

And behold, they brought to him a man sick with the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the sick of the palsy, Son, be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven thee.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth.

That ye may walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

We know that whoever is born of God, sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God, keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

For ye were sometime darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light;(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth;)

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience;And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

If any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given to him.

But my God will supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world giveth, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The LORD is nigh to them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as are of a contrite spirit.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Trust in the LORD with all thy heart; and lean not to thy own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment.

Prayer