Forgiveness in the Bible

[Jashobeam]

Sunday our pastor spoke on a set of verses and one of them touched on forgiveness. It got me to thinking about the Bible's view of personal forgiveness. I was surprised to find very few passages about humans forgiving, but many passages about God forgiving.

Mark 11:25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Luke 17:4
If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."

Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Hebrews 10:18
And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace

Luke 24:47
and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Luke 7:48
Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

Psalm 130:4
But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.

Mark 2:10
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic,

Psalm 32:1
Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Psalm 79:9
Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake.


2 Chronicles 7:14
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Psalm 103: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/...ontext=chapter

[jennynd]

Forgiveness for our sins... where would we be without it!?

"Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." John 20:23

[Jashobeam]

I was just surprised there were not more verses commanding US to forgive, but there are a multitude of verses of God WANTING to forgive us. I always hear more said about the "forgive your brother" verses than the "God wants to forgive" verses

[*katja*]

I always got the impression that the "forgive your brother" part is kind of a precondition to God forgiving us. . . maybe that is why it's talked about so much? Also, it just makes for better living. . . grudges and revenge. . . you just have to turn on the news to see where that gets us. In any case, it's always been emphasized in my church too.