What does the Bible say about forgiveness?
Forgiveness is one of the hardest things to do. The need to forgive presumes a sin has been committed and a victim exists. God offers us forgiveness in Jesus Christ and calls us to forgive those who have wronged us. This article will share a sampling of the Bible’s teaching on forgiveness: how we receive God’s forgiveness and how we are to forgive others.
How to Receive God’s Forgiveness
In the sermon, How Can I Be Sure of Heaven?, Pastor Colin Smith uses the story of the thief on the cross from Luke 23:39–43 to help us understand how we can find forgiveness in Jesus Christ. He shares three points:
1. Turn
A man hung on the cross next to Jesus due to his sin. Scripture calls him a thief deserving of death for his wicked deeds. He began his time on the cross mocking Jesus, but something changed. Perhaps it was hearing Jesus pray, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Maybe he thought, If Jesus is a king like they say He is, and He offers forgiveness to His enemies, perhaps He would forgive me?
Our sins condemn us before God. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). To receive God’s forgiveness, we need to turn from our sins. Turning from sin is called repentance.
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” Acts 3:19
2. Ask
After the thief turned from sin, he asked Jesus, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42).
The thief had nothing to offer God: no time for good works, no time to attend church, or make things right in any other way. All he could do was ask in desperation that Jesus would have mercy.
When Jesus saw his earnest faith, he said to him “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Forgiveness and the promise of heaven—in an instant!
Jesus is willing and able to forgive anyone who asks. Including you. It doesn’t matter who you are—a thief, a serial killer, or even a “good person” by human standards—you can receive forgiveness from God through faith in Jesus. His death on the cross paid the price for our sin that we could never pay. If you are burdened by your sin and know you deserve God’s judgment, ask Him to forgive you today!
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
3. Trust
After receiving the promise of an eternity from Jesus to be with Him in paradise, the thief went through the most painful and dark period of his life. But he trusted Jesus until he reached heaven. And we can too, no matter the challenges we face. We may feel like we’re drowning in an ocean, but we can cling to the Savior Jesus Christ like a lifesaver, knowing He will keep His promise to us.
Read: A Prayer for Forgiveness
Bible Verses on God’s Forgiveness and Heart of Mercy
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:11-12
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Psalm 32:1
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
Article: Why You Can Confess Your Sins to God: A Look at 1 John 1:9
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. Psalm 130:3-4
Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:18-19
Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Isaiah 1:18
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34
Article; The Last 7 Words of Jesus from the Cross Explained
Bible Verses on Our Need to Forgive Others
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32
Sermon: Cultivating Forgiveness from the series Momentum: Pursuing God’s Blessings in the Beatitudes
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:21-22
“Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” Luke 17:3-4
Article: Six Strides Toward Forgiveness
“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
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! Psalm 51:1–2
Go Deeper: 5 Sermons on Forgiveness and Reconciliation