There is a huge burden on my chest that needs to be removed. It feels so suffocating to carry forward with my life when this burden is on me. I feel I am unable to breathe. I feel so heavy and draggy with this life. The reason being, I have sinned. I need forgiveness. More than man, I need forgiveness from God. I have hurt a lot many people through my actions. My conscience is eating me up day by day. I am unable to have proper sleep at night – anyone who has these thoughts about themselves surely needs superior help. Jesus knew very well about our weakness and our tendency to fall prey to sin. Thus, he instituted the sacrament t of reconciliation, where we receive forgiveness. We need forgiveness. It is inevitable. Just like we fall prey to sin, in a similar way Christ is lending out his hand so that we may come back to him. He does not want to lose us. With the sacrament of reconciliation, Jesus forgives us. And when we receive forgiveness, we are free. We stand up once again to carry on with our lives.

But, there was a time when seeking forgiveness was a big challenge for me. My Ego and self-glory got the better of me. I would often question the eligibility and the authority of the priest to grant me forgiveness and absolution. I was such a fool! I thought it was the mortal who forgave me. But when I realized that it was Jesus who, through this mortal human priest, forgave all my sins, I was awestruck. Yes, that is true. Jesus gave authority to his disciples to forgive and to not forgive sins. And when a priest, who is anointed and vested with the power of absolution listens to our confession and absolves us from our sins, Christ does the same. 

Bible verses on forgiveness really helped me a lot to understand God’s plan for me. It helped me realize that God’s willingness to forgive, not because I am someone special or I have done great things in life, but out of his undying mercy and immeasurable love for me. I have selected few bible verses on forgiveness for you to read and reflect upon them, so that may also be able to harness the grace of God our father and feel his infinite mercy that he is willing to pour out on us.

Bible Verses On Forgiveness #1

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

You are forgiven because God wants to forgive you. Not because of your own merits, but out of his love.

Bible Verses On Forgiveness #2

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. Romans 12:17

As the saying goes, ‘ An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind’. And as Jesus says, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’

Bible Verses On Forgiveness #3

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Mathew 5:7

If you want mercy, then be merciful to others as well.

Bible Verses On Forgiveness #4

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

Never let anger take the better of you. Anger is the work of the devil. 

Bible Verses On Forgiveness #5

For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more. Hebrews 8:12

God is all-merciful. He wants to forgive us and remove every stain of sin from our souls.

Bible Verses On Forgiveness #6

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

This is what God wants from us- repentance and confession.

Bible Verses On Forgiveness #7

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34

Love removes all barriers. Love removes all sins. It is only because of the love of God that we receive forgiveness.

Bible Verses On Forgiveness #8

To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. Acts 10:43

Yes, anyone who believes in Jesus, receives forgiveness.

Bible Verses On Forgiveness #9

If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, … If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. Luke 17:3

Never hold back forgiveness for someone. Always forgive those who hurt you.

Bible Verses On Forgiveness #10

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:7

Repentance comes out of humility and humility rewards us with forgiveness.

Bible Verses On Forgiveness #11

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24

Because mercy is more pleasing to God than sacrificial offerings.

Bible Verses On Forgiveness #12

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

Truly, love covers a multitude of sins.

Bible Verses On Forgiveness #13

He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2

Jesus is the answer. He is the way the truth and the life. 

Bible Verses On Forgiveness #14

I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. Isaiah 43:25

God does not want to remember your sins. Because God has created you. He wants you back with him in heaven. Open your eyes and see how much he loves you.

Bible Verses On Forgiveness #15

The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. Acts 17:30

Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is near.

Bible Verses On Forgiveness #16

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

Just like we ask our Heavenly Father, ‘Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.’

Bible Verses On Forgiveness #17

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

Treat others the way you want yourselves to be treated.

Bible Verses On Forgiveness #18

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

We cannot be in the state of grace if we are strained with sin. Thus it is inevitable to seek mercy and receive forgiveness from God, and that is how we can stay blessed and in the state of grace.

Bible Verses On Forgiveness #19

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. 1 John 2:12

This is so powerful. The very name of Jesus can forgive our sins and that is what the priest says while he absolves our sins “I absolve you from all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Bible Verses On Forgiveness #20

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9

This is so normal. If we hold on to my friend’s action which has hurt me or my family, I will end up losing him/her. If want to re-establish our relationship, I must be willing to forgive him/her.