Forgiving someone can be difficult. Why do we need to forgive others? How can we forgive a person? The Bible can provide us with answers, inspiration and direction.
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. | Luke 23:34
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 17:4
And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. | Mark 11:25
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. | Colossians 3:14
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
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 3:13
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. | Ephesians 4:32
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.” | Romans 12:19
But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ | Matthew 18:28
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, | Matthew 5:44
Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. | Matthew 3:8
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, | Romans 3:23
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, | Matthew 6:14
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, | Romans 3:23
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
In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. | Colossians 1:14
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. | Philippians 4:13
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. | Matthew 18:15-17
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. | Matthew 7:1-29
Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. | 1 Corinthians 11:28
Leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. | Matthew 5:24
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?” | Matthew 18:21
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
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. | James 5:16
Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death. | Exodus 21:12
Actually, forgiveness is not only about others, but also about our own spiritual growth. Love and forgiveness cannot be separated. If we choose to live out the love of God as the purpose of our life, then forgiving is an option that cannot be avoided.