1 And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. 3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” —Luke 17:1-5 ESV
Forgiveness is
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. —Colossians 3:12-13 ESV
Forgiveness is
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. —Hebrews 9:22 ESV
For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. —1 Corinthians 1:5 ESV
Forgiveness is my
19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. —Acts 3:19-21 ESV
Forgiveness is a
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. —Matthew 6:14-15 ESV
How Do We Forgive?
1. Resolve to
41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” —Luke 22:1-5 ESV
2. Release
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. —Luke 23:34 ESV
Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested. —Hebrews 2:17-18 ESV
3. Return
17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. —Romans 12:17-19 ESV
4. Rely on God to
46 “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. —Luke 24:46-48 ESV
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. —Romans 8:28 ESV
Click here to fill out a Connection Card and let us know your prayer requests.