Forgiveness: A Biblical Perspective

Forgiveness: A Biblical Perspective

By Walks With the Lord

Forgiveness is at the very heart of the Christian faith. From the moment Adam and Eve fell in the Garden of Eden to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, Scripture tells the story of a loving God who is ready to forgive. Yet, forgiveness is often one of the hardest commands for us to follow. Why should we forgive? How do we forgive? And what does true forgiveness look like? In this post, we will explore forgiveness from a biblical perspective—its necessity, its power, and how we can embrace it through the example of Christ.

What Is Forgiveness?

Forgiveness, in a biblical sense, is the act of pardoning an offender. The Greek word used in the New Testament for forgiveness is aphesis, which means a release, letting go, or dismissal. Forgiveness is not about forgetting the wrong or pretending it didn’t hurt. Rather, it is about releasing the offender from the debt they owe and choosing not to hold it against them.

Key Verse:

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
— Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

Forgiveness is a divine principle rooted in God’s character and extended to us through grace. Because we are forgiven, we are called to forgive.

God’s Forgiveness: The Ultimate Example

The foundation of all Christian forgiveness is found in God’s forgiveness of humanity. Time and again, Scripture testifies to God’s merciful nature.

Psalm 103:10-12 declares:

“He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
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.”

God’s forgiveness is total, absolute, and motivated by love. He does not forgive reluctantly; He forgives joyfully. Through Christ, our sins are not only covered—they are completely erased.

The Cross: Forgiveness Fulfilled

The crucifixion of Jesus is the clearest demonstration of divine forgiveness. As Jesus hung on the cross, bearing the weight of all sin, He uttered these words:

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
— Luke 23:34 (ESV)

Jesus modeled forgiveness in the most agonizing moment of His earthly life. He forgave His executioners, the very people who mocked Him, beat Him, and nailed Him to the cross. His love transcended pain, injustice, and hatred.

Through His sacrifice, we are reconciled to God. Our sins are forgiven not because of anything we’ve done, but because of His mercy.

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.”
— Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)

Why Must We Forgive Others?

It’s one thing to receive forgiveness from God; it’s another to extend it to others. Yet Scripture is clear: forgiveness is not optional for the believer.

Jesus taught in the Lord’s Prayer:

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
— Matthew 6:12 (ESV)

After teaching this prayer, Jesus added:

“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)

This is not a transaction—it's a transformation. Those who have been transformed by grace become agents of grace. Forgiveness is not something we give because others deserve it, but because we’ve been given what we do not deserve.

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

In Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus tells a sobering parable about a servant who was forgiven a massive debt by his king but refused to forgive a small debt owed by a fellow servant. The king rescinds his forgiveness, and the unforgiving servant is handed over to be punished.

This parable emphasizes that:

  1. We are the servant with the large debt—our sin.

  2. God is the King who graciously forgives.

  3. We must extend the same mercy to others.

“Should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?”
— Matthew 18:33 (ESV)

Forgiveness is a response to grace. If we truly grasp the depth of God’s forgiveness, we cannot withhold it from others.

What Forgiveness Is NOT

To fully understand forgiveness, we must also clarify what it is not:

  • Forgiveness is not approval of wrongdoing.
    God never excuses sin, and neither should we. Forgiveness doesn’t mean calling evil good.

  • Forgiveness is not forgetting.
    Human memory doesn’t work that way. Forgiveness means choosing not to dwell on the offense or use it against the person.

  • Forgiveness is not always reconciliation.
    While reconciliation is ideal, it requires mutual repentance and trust. Forgiveness can be one-sided—it frees you even if the other person never apologizes.

  • Forgiveness is not a feeling.
    It is a decision—a willful act of obedience to God’s command.

How Do We Forgive?

Forgiving others can be difficult—especially when the wounds are deep. But Scripture offers us a path to forgiveness:

  1. Acknowledge the hurt.
    Pretending you’re not hurt doesn’t help. Bring your pain to God. He understands.

  2. Remember how much you’ve been forgiven.
    Reflect on the magnitude of God’s grace in your life. This softens even the hardest heart.

  3. Pray for the person who hurt you.

“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” — Matthew 5:44 (ESV)
Prayer may not change the other person, but it changes you.

  1. Choose to release the offense.
    Say the words: “I forgive them.” You may have to say it repeatedly. This is a process, not a one-time event.

  2. Seek strength from the Holy Spirit.
    Forgiveness isn’t something we muster up on our own. We need divine help.

The Healing Power of Forgiveness

Forgiveness not only frees the offender; it also frees the offended. Bitterness is a heavy chain that binds us to the pain of the past. Unforgiveness can poison our hearts, damage our relationships, and hinder our walk with God.

“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble.”
— Hebrews 12:15 (ESV)

When we forgive, we break the cycle of pain. We allow God's peace to rule in our hearts.

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
— Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

Forgiving Yourself

One of the most overlooked aspects of forgiveness is forgiving ourselves. Many believers walk in guilt over sins already covered by Christ’s blood. If God has forgiven you, who are you to condemn yourself?

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
— Romans 8:1 (ESV)

Accept God’s forgiveness. Release the shame. Walk in freedom.

Final Thoughts: Living a Life of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not a one-time event—it’s a lifestyle. It’s something we must continually practice as followers of Christ. When we forgive, we reflect the heart of God. We become conduits of grace in a world desperate for healing.

Let us be known as people who forgive—quickly, deeply, and generously. As we do, we participate in God's redemptive work and display the beauty of the gospel.

We Want to Hear from You

Have you experienced the power of forgiveness in your life? Is there someone you’ve struggled to forgive? Share your thoughts, experiences, or prayer requests in the comments below. Let’s encourage one another to walk in the freedom and joy that comes from a forgiving heart.

A Prayer for Forgiveness

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your boundless mercy and grace. Thank You for forgiving our sins through the precious blood of Jesus. Lord, we confess that we sometimes struggle to forgive others as You have forgiven us. Our hearts can be stubborn and wounded. But we ask for Your help.
Soften our hearts. Fill us with compassion. Help us to release every offense, big or small, into Your hands. Teach us to love our enemies, to pray for those who hurt us, and to seek peace in our relationships.
And Lord, help us to forgive ourselves. Remind us that we are new creations in Christ and that our past does not define us.
May we walk in the freedom of forgiveness every day, reflecting Your love to a hurting world.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Stay connected with Walks With the Lord for more biblical encouragement, devotionals, and insights into living a Christ-centered life. May the peace of Christ rule in your hearts today and always.

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