Holy Bible Online 
Forgiveness in the Bible means to absolve and not condemn someone for the wrong they have done. This means that those who forgive do not hold the offense, debt, or guilt of others against them. The Bible presents two types of forgiveness: God's forgiveness of our sins and human forgiveness (as a condition for being forgiven).
God's Forgiveness
Divine forgiveness is a blessing granted by God, in which He does not attribute guilt for the offenses of those who repent and believe in Him. God's forgiveness is a gift of grace; it is an unmerited favor that He offers out of love.
The Lord God demonstrates His infinite goodness and mercy by not imposing punishment for the sins of those who believe in Jesus Christ. No matter what wrong you have committed, whether in the present or the past, God is merciful enough to forgive you.
However, to obtain God's forgiveness, you need:
- Sincere repentance (Acts 3:19)
- Faith that Jesus Christ suffered and died for our sins (Mark 1:15)
- Confession of all your shortcomings (1 John 1:9)
In addition to believing, repenting, and confessing, we also need to forgive one another. Jesus taught about this important condition established for receiving God's forgiveness. We ourselves must forgive others.
Human Forgiveness
Forgiveness is fundamentally rooted in love and kindness, and it is also an expression of humility. To forgive is an act of personal mercy, as well as a characteristic of trust and obedience to God. When we love God above all else, we obey Him, and we also love and forgive our neighbors.
The Bible encourages and warns us to forgive, just as God has forgiven us. Naturally, we offend and are offended. However, due to the hardness of our hearts, we enjoy receiving forgiveness but hesitate to extend it to others. This is why Jesus warns us:
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.
- Matthew 6:14-15
Forgiving someone shows that we have received and understood God's forgiveness. No matter how much you have been hurt or disappointed, you need to forgive, removing resentment and vengeance from your heart.
Human forgiveness reflects the miracle and kindness of the forgiveness we receive from God. When we forgive, we acknowledge our own flaws and that God loves us and has forgiven our mistakes; therefore, we can do the same.
Remember: to forgive is a decision that involves liberation, freeing both ourselves and others from the shackles of guilt, victimization, bitterness, and condemnation. Do not cling to the pains of the past; forgive with God's help and move forward.
Reflection on Forgiveness in the Bible
Divine forgiveness is recognized as an act of mercy from God, as He does not attribute guilt for the sins of those who seek Him:
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.
- Psalm 86:5
Everyone Needs Forgiveness
All human beings possess a sinful nature. Yes, you and I are sinners. This refers to a natural inclination to do wrong and harmful things. It means that we rebel against God, rejecting His just standard. We follow our own will instead of His.
Therefore, to fulfill divine justice, every sin must be punished. The Bible teaches that the real and direct consequence of sin is death. We were all condemned to receive this just punishment:
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Romans 6:23
In His grace, God has provided a way for us to be forgiven through Jesus Christ. In this perfect plan, God sent His Son Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
- Ephesians 1:7
Jesus Christ was perfectly just, but by giving His life in our place, He paid the price for the debt we had to face: an eternity away from God. All who believe in Him receive the Lord's forgiveness.
Conditions for Forgiveness
Divine forgiveness requires repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Additionally, we must forgive those who offend us. Just as the wrongs done to us hurt, our sins grievously offend God.
Therefore, there is no viable solution to the problem of humanity's sin. We must either pay the price of condemnation for the evil we do or repent, turning to God, confessing, and believing that He can forgive us.
The Lord does not hold us accountable for the offenses we commit against Him because Jesus took our guilt upon Himself, fulfilling the penalty (death on the cross) in our place. But this happens only for those who believe in Jesus:
"Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name".
- Acts 10:43b
The Importance of Forgiving Others
Human forgiveness means to absolve the guilt, offense, debt, or sin that another person has committed. It is not about whether the person deserves it; it is also an act of grace. However, we need to forgive even when we are deeply offended:
“Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times".
- Matthew 18:21b-22
On one hand, forgiveness involves the miracle of grace and selflessness, erasing the harm caused. On the other hand, it also grants us dual freedom: we release the other from guilt and free ourselves from the prison of bitterness, revenge, and resentment.
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
- Luke 6:37
Withholding forgiveness or choosing to forgive is a personal decision, but as we see in the Bible, it has eternal implications. Jesus taught, even in the "Our Father" prayer, that we will only receive the Father's forgiveness if we forgive one another:
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
- Matthew 6:12
The Bible also says that we should forgive one another just as God, in Christ, forgave us (Ephesians 4:32). The forgiveness of Jesus, as we read, is liberation, redemption, and reconciliation with God.
The Bible tells us that the message of repentance for the forgiveness of sins must be proclaimed to all (Luke 24:47). This means that God's forgiveness is inclusive, available to both the good and the bad, accessible to all peoples, for the Lord is a God of forgiveness:
If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
- Psalm 130:3-4
Practicing God's Forgiveness
Forgiving is not easy. But like any good habit, it must be practiced in faith. In life and in our relationships, we know that we won't always receive kindness. Sometimes, during the crises we face, we are hurt, offended, and even disappointed by those we love the most. However, there are many benefits and positive outcomes to forgiveness.
At first, it may be difficult, but forgiving is the best way forward. Don’t wait too long to forgive, as its effects are quickly reflected in our spiritual, emotional, and even physical lives. Forgiveness sets us free!
Debts Forgiven
Remember that you yourself have been forgiven by God. Therefore, we all can (and should) offer a little of the grace we received from Jesus. It’s not easy, but it is the best path to take.
Understand that forgiving is not forgetting! Unless we are suffering from amnesia there is no way we can forget the wrongs done to us. But by forgiving, we let go of bitterness and destroy the bars that imprison us in resentment and malice, making room for mercy, grace, and new life. Forgiveness is about freeing ourselves from pain.
That’s why forgiveness is so fundamental in the lives of Christians. For harmony and peace to reign in our hearts again, we need to forgive.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
- Ephesians 4:31-32
Forgive those who offend you and leave behind the pains of the past. God heals your wounds and grants new perspectives for your life. Forgive and move forward!
Learn More About Forgiveness:
Want to read more, here are Bible Study Lessons Organized by Theme.