I grew up viewing forgiveness as an almost impossible ideal.
My childhood was free from formal religious influence, and every time someone wronged me, I believed vengeance—or at least a determined sense of justice—was the only way to heal.
Once I experienced heartbreak in my late 20s, I stumbled upon the Christian faith in a way that changed everything. Yet, even after embracing Christ, I often felt forgiveness was reserved for those more saintly than I.
It felt unattainable, as though it demanded an inner strength I did not possess.
In my search for answers, I turned to Scripture.
There, I discovered passages that cut deep into my longstanding grudges. Here are 7 verses that transformed my journey toward forgiving others—and myself.
1) Matthew 6:14–15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
When I first read these words, I felt uneasy. The direct nature of Jesus’ message pressed firmly on my heart. He was not suggesting a polite gesture; He was presenting a condition.
In a conversation with a trusted friend, I admitted how harsh that warning sounded. Yet I realized it reflects the seriousness with which God regards reconciliation.
My friend mentioned that forgiveness is more than a social courtesy. It opens the door to genuine connection with God.
By withholding forgiveness, I was blocking the healing grace that could flow from heaven into my daily life.
2) Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
I used to wonder, can anyone truly forgive “like Christ”?
The standard felt impossible.
However, Ephesians 4:32 revealed the pattern that Christ set—He forgives and then encourages us to do the same.
In my early days as a believer, I sought practical ways to apply this command.
I started with something small: I decided to forgive a colleague who spoke poorly of me at work.
Initially, I did it because Scripture said so, but over time, I noticed how it softened my spirit and brought me a sense of peace I had rarely known. There was less turmoil in my heart, and I sensed God’s presence more clearly.
That gentle transformation taught me that the power to forgive is rooted in receiving forgiveness from Christ first.
3) Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
The phrase “bear with each other” spoke volumes about human relationships. This verse implies that patience precedes pardon.
Perhaps forgiveness is not a swift one-time act but a continuous willingness to endure the flaws of those around us.
When I read this, I recalled my youth.
A family member and I had a falling out that lasted years. We exchanged words we could never take back, and our relationship froze in resentment.
Colossians 3:13 made me see that growth involves enduring that person’s imperfections, and possibly my own.
If God could forgive my hardened heart, who was I to hold someone else’s mistakes hostage? This verse reminded me that sometimes forgiveness is built on day-to-day patience in messy relationships.
4) Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
This passage reinforced a kingdom principle: how we treat others impacts our own spiritual condition.
My skeptical side initially balked at the idea that I could somehow “earn” forgiveness by acting kindly.
But this verse is not about an external transaction. It underscores a deeper reality—my attitude toward others echoes back into my relationship with God.
I once asked Professor Mikkel Andrews, a theology mentor of mine, for clarity on this.
In one of his articles on biblical restoration (see his work here), he highlights that the posture of our hearts determines whether we can truly receive grace.
By relinquishing judgment, we allow God’s mercy to permeate our own hearts.
Luke 6:37 taught me that when I live with open hands—less condemnation, more grace—I am better positioned to accept the forgiveness extended to me.
5) 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.”
I used to believe my sins were too weighty for any form of absolution. Skepticism followed me even after I started reading the Bible. Perhaps you can relate to that sense of self-condemnation.
This verse, however, presents a promise: God is faithful and just to forgive. It gave me hope that God’s capacity to forgive is not limited by my sense of unworthiness.
The requirement is a posture of honesty—confession that admits brokenness.
When I embraced that, I found a renewed relationship with God, unburdened by secrets. That honest surrender provided a blueprint for how I should forgive others—meeting them with the same mercy I had received.
6) Mark 11:25
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
I once heard someone say, “Forgiveness is a spiritual discipline.” This verse confirms it. Jesus sets forgiveness as a prerequisite for prayer.
The first time I took this seriously, I realized how bitterness blocks me from open communication with God.
In practical terms, this challenged my old habit of coming before God with a list of requests while still harboring grudges. The biblical directive in Mark 11:25 calls for an internal housecleaning before standing in prayer.
Letting go of unresolved anger freed my prayer life in ways I never expected. Suddenly, I felt more receptive to God’s promptings, more thankful, and less burdened by negative emotions.
That powerful shift cemented forgiveness as an integral part of my spiritual discipline.
7) Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Although the previous verses guided me on how to forgive others, I still grappled with forgiving myself.
Past mistakes loomed large, and I often felt haunted by regrets. Psalm 103:12 gave me a majestic image of how thoroughly God deals with our sins.
This verse reminded me that if God chooses to remove my transgressions so far that they never meet again, I have no right to keep reliving them.
Whenever I fail to let go of my errors, I am effectively refusing the freedom offered by God.
Reflecting on Psalm 103:12 shifted my focus from the enormity of my mistakes to the immeasurable nature of God’s mercy.
Do we ever reach the end of learning to forgive?
Forgiveness has no finish line. Each time I think I have fully mastered it, life presents another challenging moment that tests my heart.
Yet these 7 verses formed a compass for me, pointing to a life shaped by grace rather than hostility. They remind me that forgiveness is not a sign of weakness but an avenue to wholeness.
Every time I choose to release resentment, I experience an inner freedom that draws me closer to the God I once doubted.
That sense of freedom is not a vague spiritual concept, but a tangible renewal I feel in my relationships, my prayers, and my daily outlook.
If letting go of anger paves the way for a more profound sense of peace, then every effort to forgive, however difficult, is worth it.
For many of us, the journey will always involve tension between human nature and divine grace. I continue to confront that tension with each new conflict.
Despite the challenges, I have come to trust the sacred invitation these verses extend. They reveal a path for a reconciled soul and a restored heart—both essential for anyone longing to embrace the fullness of God’s love.
Let me end with a personal conviction: every single act of forgiveness is a tiny reflection of what Christ has done for all humanity.
Once I grasped that truth, withholding forgiveness felt contradictory to everything I have received from Him.
What would Jesus say?
Unsure whether to move on from a failed marriage? Struggling with desire and feeling guilty for it? Wanting to live a life Jesus would be proud of?
Let Jesus tell you how to be a good Christian according to the teachings of the Bible.
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