Forgiveness
🧵 Forgiveness: receiving it and giving it
From the cross to the kitchen table — how God forgives us, and why that changes how we forgive.
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1
Psalms 103:8-12
God’s character first: slow to anger, rich in mercy — and he removes our sin as far as east is from west.
8The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
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2
1 John 1:9
Forgiveness begins with honest confession, and God is faithful to answer it.
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
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3
Luke 23:34
Even from the cross Jesus asked the Father to forgive the people hurting him.
34Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
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4
Matthew 18:21-22
Peter asked for a limit; Jesus gave him a way of life instead of a number.
21Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
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5
Ephesians 4:31-32
Bitterness out, kindness in — and the reason: God in Christ forgave you.
31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
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6
Colossians 3:12-14
Forgiveness is something we put on, like clothing, with love holding it all together.
12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
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7
Matthew 6:14-15
Receiving mercy and extending mercy are tied together in the Lord’s teaching.
14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
