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Examples Of Forgiveness In The Bible

Jesus Came To Save Sinners

BIBLE VERSES ABOUT FORGIVENESS (With Explanation)

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

Throughout Pauls letters, you see glimpses of sorrow for what he put Gods people through. He was present and condoned the churchs first martyrdom , and from there he went town to town persecuting the church.

Here he tells Timothy that by forgiving Paul, Jesus demonstrated His great patience. Whats particularly interesting is that he doesnt think Jesus forgave him just to prove how full of mercy He is. More than that, Paul believes that by forgiving His enemy, Jesus was setting an example for us to follow.

The Dominant Idea Is Bearing Not Adjudicating Or Pronouncing Sentence Sin Is Always Costly If You Forgive My Sin You Are Saying That You Will Incur And Pay For My Debt You Will Bear The Burden That My Evil Actions Have Created

In one sense, the Hebrew verb /nasa is used almost exactly like the English word forgive: It can refer to the sin or to the sinner. In English, we speak of forgiving sin as well as forgiving the sinner. The Hebrew is the same, since /nasa sometimes refers to the offense, sometimes to the offender, and sometimes to both in the same sentence. If I have wronged you, I have diminished you, I have incurred a debt to you. You may decide to carry or bear my sin, and at the same time to carry or bear me.

Note that a third party can do the bearing or carrying. Remember the common language in Leviticus about people carrying their sin? And theres the reminder in Isaiah that the Servant of Yahweh will carry the sin of many people. The Good Samaritan in Jesus parable carried or bore the strangers debt, paying all that was necessary out of his own pocketand he even carried the individual, literally, to a place of refuge.

Knowing the background concepts from the Old Testament, we can more easily appreciate New Testament passages such as

RSV 1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

RSV Hebrews 9:28 . . . Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

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God Forgave Us Through His Only Son

For the wages of sin is death . In the Old Testament, God gave Moses two clay tablets containing the Ten Commandments of what God wanted the Israelites to do and follow. Whosoever caught disregarding these laws shall be put to death by stoning. Hence, these commandments given to Moses were called the stone commandments. However, when Jesus came, everything changed, including the law. Instead of stones for sins, God granted us forgiveness through His Son who redeemed us, giving us new life. By dying for us, our Lord Jesus Christ became the sign of salvation and Gods forgiveness to humanity.

Jesus knew He was going to be put to death for our sins though he never sinned. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God . Here are some verses that show Gods love for us and how He forgives us for our sins and transgressions.

Psalm 103:10-14

He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him, for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 1:9

Luke 23:34

Psalm 86:5

Matthew 26:28

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Its Better To Confess And Receive Forgiveness Than To Try To Cover Up Your Wrongdoings

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

Sometimes it feels like trying to cover your mistakes is better than confessing them and asking forgiveness, but that isnt true. In the Bible, the first created people, Adam and Eve, tried to hide and cover up their mistakes, and they quickly found out you cannot hide from God . He knows.

Trying to cover things up when you do something wrong usually backfires. And even if you succeed, that doesnt mean youre in the clear. Unconfessed sin is not good for the soul. Guilt and shame will weigh you down, but confessing, both to God and others, is freeing. The reactions of others may vary, but God responds to genuine confessions with mercy and forgiveness.

Jesus Is Our Ultimate Example

Forgive Others As You Have Been Forgiven By God  Bible Inspirations

Jesus doesnt ask us to do something hes unwilling to do himself. He is the ultimate example for us to follow. Through Jesus the sins of the world are forgiven. All of them. Even the really heinous ones.

Hes done the heavy lifting. Hes set the example. Our charge is to do the same for those around us. Hes forgiven each of us of much. Therefore we are able to forgive those who have wronged us.

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The Lord Is Merciful And Forgiving

The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.

Daniel was a prophet living in Babylonian exile. Israel was experiencing severe judgment when this book was written. Even though Daniel is one of the few biblical characters that doesnt demonstrate many flaws, he still considers himself a participant in Israels sin and rebellion. And even though theyre at the receiving end of Gods judgment, Daniel demonstrates his faith that God is merciful and forgiving.

Read Stories Of Forgiveness And Verses About Forgiveness In The Bible

Flood yourself with the truth of Gods word to encourage and empower you! Look up all the stories in this post and Scripture and read them thoroughly. Write out your favorite verse in each story.

Journal your thoughts and prayers as you read about forgiveness in the Bible. Remember 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Let Gods love fill you as you reflect on the forgiveness of God.

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Why Is Forgiveness Important

Forgiveness is unquestionably important for two main reasons.

It may seem that by withholding forgiveness from someone that you are able to hurt their feelings or keep them accountable for what they did in some way. However, this is not how forgiveness works. Forgiveness is about you and not them.

Unforgiveness hurts you and grows bitterness in your heart. It can lead to a variety of very real symptoms as well such as depression, anxiety, stress, and heart issues. It can also lower your immune system.

Also, dont sit around waiting for an apology that may or may not come. Forgiveness is always better sooner rather than later.

Unforgiveness also hurts your relationship with God. This is the biggest reason why forgiveness is so important.

The Bible says that if you steward unforgiveness in your heart, God will not forgive you. Our forgiveness from God is conditional on our ability to forgive others in return.

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 ESV

Forgive others, dont hold on to that bitterness in your heart. You dont have to forget what they did, excuse it, allow them to repeat it, or resume the relationship as it used to be but you must learn to forgive and move on.

Bible Stories To Teach Your Kids About Forgiveness

Jesus Forgives Sins and Heals a Man Stricken with Palsy

Summers can be really hard. Having both kids home every day can do a number on our peace and my sanity. Constant bickering over toys and seats and who needs to go to the bathroom more can leave me feeling frazzled most of the time. With my nerves shot and my patience thin, I must admit, I raise my voice and use less than gentle words a time or two .

But after most outbursts, I pull myself together feeling Gods grace lead me to ask for forgiveness. What a beautiful picture of His redemptive love that uses our shortcomings to teach our children how to live.

Ill bend down low so they can see my face and understand my heart. Im sorry, I say, Mommy should not have yelled like that. Do you forgive me?

And the answer is always yes. Because kids dont quite yet know how to hold on to things. Their whimsical hearts move on and their developing brains easily forget. What a beautiful picture of His redemptive love that uses our children to teach US how to live.

One of the best ways we can teach our children anything is through modeling. I suppose its a good thing I do a stellar job modeling the need for forgiveness. And Im learning the balance that gives them boundaries while teaching them about the grace that is available when they make mistakes, modeling their opportunity to receive forgiveness.

3 Bible Stories to Teach Kids About Forgiveness

Jesus

Luke 23

You can also ead the story of Jesus forgiveness in the Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids!

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Joseph The Dreamer In Egypt

Despite all the things his brothers had done to him, the moment Joseph recognized them, he carried no anger. Instead, all the longing he had for his family resurfaced. He forgave them and shared with them all the wealth he had acquired.

Genesis 45:14-15 Then he fell upon his brother Benjamins neck and wept, and Benjamin wept upon his neck.And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. After that his brothers talked with him.

From this story, we can see how Joseph didnt try to take vengeance nor make his brothers apologize. Instead, he brought them all to Egypt with their wives and offsprings to live bountifully with him.

Forgiveness Isnt A One Time Affair

When Jesus was asked how many times we should forgive someone who has wronged us, he answered seven times seventy.

This isnt a Bible math problem. The number seven in Jewish culture represented perfection or completion. What Jesus is saying is that you should forgive the complete amount. In other words, we are to keep forgiving until theres no more to forgive.

Forgiveness isnt something we do once. Its the way we live our lives.

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Simon Peter Another Great Example Of Forgiveness In The Bible

Jesus when he begins his public life to do what God his Father entrusted him to carry out on earth. He calls upon the first disciples of his, among them was Simon, also called Peter:

Matthew 4:18-20: 18 As he walked by the Sea of ââGalilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew. They were casting the net into the sea, because they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them: âCome after me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Peter went from being a fisherman from the town of Bethsaida to becoming one of the twelve followers of Jesus. He was a clumsy man and his impulsive character can be seen in several passages in the canonical gospels of the Bible.

Learn more about them by entering here, The gospels: Origin, canonical, apocryphal and more. These New Testament books of the Bible narrate the life, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Learn in this article when its origin took place, in addition to finding out about the types that exist and which ones are accepted by Christian doctrine.

Pedro’s impulsiveness made him act or speak without thinking or reflecting on what he was going to say or do. Still, Peter became one of Jesus’ closest friends, sharing crucial moments in his life with his teacher and his Lord.

On several occasions Peter exercised the function of speaking on behalf of the twelve disciples. A relevant occasion was when he recognized Jesus as the Christ:

Verses And Examples On Forgiveness In The Bible

70 of the best bible verses about forgiveness

A chaotic world and a fragile heart is a painful combination. No matter how strong we think we are, we cant completely put a strong fence around our hearts to keep it from getting hurt. Also, through the years, with or without any intent, we have and will hurt others. However, the Bible has spoken about arguments and sins among families and neighbors. There are various verses in the Old Testament that show us that even God Himself can get jealous . As much as we can read about sins punishable by Gods law, one can not overlook how God emphasizes forgiveness in the Bible.

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Forgiving Others Is A Prerequisite For Our Own 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 . This is a difficult verse to process. God stands ready and willing to forgive us, but asks that we extend the same forgiveness to others first. If we have resentment and bitterness in our hearts, its time to give it over to God. Let Him heal us and give us the ability to forgive. Our eternity is dependent on it.

Forgiveness After The Resurrection

One of the reasons why Jesus rises from the dead on the third day is because with that act the New Covenant is created, which refers to the fact that the Blood of the Lord Jesus is the one that always washes away our sins and that through from it we can once again have grace before God the Father.

Acts 5: 31-32

30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.

31 God has exalted him with his right hand as Prince and Savior, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.

Acts 10: 42-43

42 And he commanded us to preach to the people, and testify that he is the one whom God has appointed as Judge of the living and the dead.

43 All the prophets bear witness to him, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.

Acts 13: 37-39

37 But he whom God raised up did not see corruption.

38 Know this, then, brothers, that forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you through him,

39 and that from all that you could not be justified by the law of Moses, in him everyone who believes is justified.

Acts 26: 18

18 so that you may open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified through faith in me.

Mattheww 7:7-8

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Forgiven Sin Still Has Consequences

While its wonderful to read of Gods lavish forgiveness, we should also pay careful attention to the painful and fitting consequences the Lord brought upon David for his sin. Were told Davids chastisement was necessary both to uphold the Lords reputation and also to teach future generations that sin has consequences . As Ive studied the latter part of Davids life, Ive often wondered if it wouldve been easier on him not to have lived to see the horrible events of his final years .

Just consider how Gods words through Nathan played out:

  • The sword shall never depart from your house . God shatters the peace and stability David had spent a lifetime establishing, as his kingdom is torn apart by two civil wars.
  • I will raise up evil against you out of your own house . The shameful sexual sin and murderous violence in which David engaged secretly is practiced openly by his sons, Amnon and Absalom.
  • The child . . . shall die. . The baby conceived by Davids sin died seven days after he was born .

Many professing Christians take sin far too lightly. The example of David should remind us that God doesnt.

God forgives sin with great grace and at great price. Such love should motivate us to flee from sin and pursue righteousness . But if love wont, then the consequences of sin might .

Forgive And You Will Be Forgiven

Gizmo’s Daily Bible Byte – 068 – The Importance of Forgiveness – Mark 11:25

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Jesuss first couple of comments are negative. Dont want to be judged? Then dont judge. Dont want to be condemned? Dont condemn. But His last statement is different. It adds a positive spin.

Unlike Satan who is the accuser, God is renowned for His mercy. And Hes attracted to like-minded people. When were quick to forgive, it demonstrates an understanding and appreciation of mercys cost.

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