Scripture collection
Scriptures about forgiveness
Eight passages on being forgiven, and on what that then asks of you.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Faithful and righteous, which are odd words to use about mercy until you notice they mean it is not a mood.
Psalm 51:10–12
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
David, after the worst thing he did. Asking for a clean heart rather than a lighter sentence.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
The levelling verse. Everyone, without exception or ranking.
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
The timing of it: while, not after.
Luke 15:20
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
The father runs, before the prepared speech is finished.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Boldly, which is not the word most people would choose.
Colossians 3:13
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Where being forgiven turns into forgiving. The measure given is not what they deserve.
1 John 4:9–10
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Not that we loved God, but that he loved us. The direction is the whole argument.
These divide roughly in half. The first six are about being forgiven; the last two are about what that then makes possible towards other people. The order is not accidental, and reversing it is where a great deal of unnecessary guilt comes from.