"To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you," said CS Lewis.
Forgiveness is at the heart of the Christian faith. God sent his only son to take the weight of our sin and die in our place, that we might be forgiven, be intimately connected with our Father, and have eternal life. But there's also a call on Christians to forgive others, too – which isn't always easy to obey.
Here are 10 Bible verses to remind you of God's mercy, as well as the importance of learning to exhibit grace ourselves.
Ephesians 1:7-10
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfilment — to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ."
Matthew 6:14
"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."
Ephesians 4:31-32
"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."
Psalm 103:8-12
"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbour his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
Isaiah 53:5
"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
Acts 10:42-43
"He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
Isaiah 43:25
"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more."
Colossians 1:13-14
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Psalm 130:4
"But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you."
Isaiah 1:18(b)
"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
