3: Forgiveness: Where it Begins and Extends

Forgiveness as a Central Theme in the Bible

Today we will talk explore topics in the Bible around Forgiveness and how they relate to your marital relationship.  The goal is to help us all learn more about this powerful tool that can help heal hurts and reconnect you as spouses in ways you never thought possible.  

In the Bible, forgiveness is a central theme, and it is often portrayed as an act of mercy and compassion towards others. One of the most famous biblical passages about forgiveness is found in the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus instructs his followers to ask God for forgiveness and to extend forgiveness to others who have wronged them (Matthew 6:12-15).

How many times is Forgiveness Mentioned: 

It is mentioned 74 times (according to the NIV translations).  That means it's mentioned more times that there are books in the bible (66). 

Concept is Central to God reconciling with us

The Bible teaches that forgiveness is a moral and spiritual obligation. It is rooted in God's love and grace, and it is seen as a way to restore broken relationships and promote reconciliation. We Christians believe that they have been forgiven by God through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, and we are called to extend that forgiveness to others.

God forgives our sins: In the Old Testament, we see God repeatedly forgiving the sins of His people, despite their many failures and shortcomings. For example, in Psalm 103:12, it says, "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

God offers us salvation: In the New Testament, we see God offering us forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ. In John 3:16, it says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

God calls us to forgive others: In the Bible, we are called to forgive others, just as God has forgiven us. In Matthew 6:14-15, it says, "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."

Overall, God's forgiveness is a powerful and transformative force in the Bible. It reminds us of God's great love for us and calls us to extend that same love and forgiveness to others.

Jesus Models Forgiveness

Jesus models forgiveness: Jesus Himself modeled forgiveness throughout His life and ministry.

·        He forgave the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11)

A woman caught in adultery was brought to Jesus by the religious leaders. Rather than condemning her, Jesus forgave her and urged her to sin no more.  He even advised the religious leader to throw the first stone if they had never sinned.  Of course they had to drop their stones and leave. This passage demonstrates Jesus' mercy and forgiveness, as well as His willingness to show compassion even to those who were judged harshly by society.

·       He forgave the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43)

While being crucified, Jesus forgave the thief on the cross who acknowledged Him as the Messiah and asked for forgiveness. This passage illustrates Jesus' willingness to forgive anyone who sincerely repents and seeks His mercy, regardless of their past sins or wrongdoings.

Can you imagine living a life of sin only to repent minutes away from your death.  And to top it off you seek forgiveness from the one being crucified on the cross next to you.  Talk about selflessness from Jesus, that while he is dying he still offers forgiveness.

·       He even forgave those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34)

Jesus even forgave those that directed their evil toward Him.  He forgave those who crucified Him, saying, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." This shows Jesus' ultimate act of forgiveness of those that were the cause of His intense suffering and persecution.

         It's often said that God and Jesus are Love, and it is displayed never more greatly that through Forgiveness when it doesn't seem deserved. 

Forgiveness as a Central Theme in the Bible

Prominent Theme:

In the Bible, forgiveness is a central theme, and it is often portrayed as an act of mercy and compassion towards others. One of the most famous biblical passages about forgiveness is found in the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus instructs his followers to ask God for forgiveness and to extend forgiveness to others who have wronged them (Matthew 6:12-15).

How many times is Forgiveness Mentioned: 

It is mentioned 74 times (according to the NIV translations).  That means it's mentioned more times that there are books in the bible (66). 

Concept is Central to God reconciling with us

The Bible teaches that forgiveness is a moral and spiritual obligation. It is rooted in God's love and grace, and it is seen as a way to restore broken relationships and promote reconciliation. We Christians believe that they have been forgiven by God through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, and we are called to extend that forgiveness to others.

God forgives our sins: In the Old Testament, we see God repeatedly forgiving the sins of His people, despite their many failures and shortcomings. For example, in Psalm 103:12, it says, "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

God offers us salvation: In the New Testament, we see God offering us forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ. In John 3:16, it says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

God calls us to forgive others: In the Bible, we are called to forgive others, just as God has forgiven us. In Matthew 6:14-15, it says, "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."

Overall, God's forgiveness is a powerful and transformative force in the Bible. It reminds us of God's great love for us and calls us to extend that same love and forgiveness to others.

Jesus Models Forgiveness

Jesus models forgiveness: Jesus Himself modeled forgiveness throughout His life and ministry.

·         He forgave the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11)

 A woman caught in adultery was brought to Jesus by the religious leaders. Rather than condemning her, Jesus forgave her and urged her to sin no more.  He even advised the religious leader to throw the first stone if they had never sinned.  Of course they had to drop their stones and leave. This passage demonstrates Jesus' mercy and forgiveness, as well as His willingness to show compassion even to those who were judged harshly by society.

·         He forgave the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43)

 While being crucified, Jesus forgave the thief on the cross who acknowledged Him as the Messiah and asked for forgiveness. This passage illustrates Jesus' willingness to forgive anyone who sincerely repents and seeks His mercy, regardless of their past sins or wrongdoings.

Can you imagine living a life of sin only to repent minutes away from your death.  And to top it off you seek forgiveness from the one being crucified on the cross next to you.  Talk about selflessness from Jesus, that while he is dying he still offers forgiveness.

·         He even forgave those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34)

Jesus even forgave those that directed their evil toward Him.  He forgave those who crucified Him, saying, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." This shows Jesus' ultimate act of forgiveness of those that were the cause of His intense suffering and persecution.

·         It's often said that God and Jesus are Love, and it is displayed never more greatly that through Forgiveness when it doesn't seem deserved. 

 The Prodigal Son – Radical Forgiveness

·         The Prodigal Son Parable is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible, found in Luke 15:11-32. It tells the story of a younger son who asks his father for his share of the inheritance and then wastes it all on wild living. When he has nothing left, he returns home to his father, hoping to be hired as one of his servants. However, the father welcomes him back with open arms, throwing a party to celebrate his return.

·         The parable also introduces the theme of forgiveness, as seen in the father's response to his son's return. Despite his son's rebellion and squandering of the family fortune, the father forgives him and restores him to his former position in the family. This is a powerful example of God's forgiveness towards us, no matter how much we may have strayed from his will.

·         The older son's reaction to the party show the human tendency to struggle with forgiveness, as he cannot bring himself to celebrate his brother's return. This highlights the need for all of us to learn to forgive and show grace towards those who have wronged us, just as God has forgiven us. Overall, the Prodigal Son Parable offers a message of hope and redemption, encouraging us to turn back to God and embrace his forgiveness, no matter how far we may have strayed.

·        Thee Prodigal Son Parable is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible, found in Luke 15:11-32. It tells the story of a younger son who asks his father for his share of the inheritance and then wastes it all on wild living. When he has nothing left, he returns home to his father, hoping to be hired as one of his servants. However, the father welcomes him back with open arms, throwing a party to celebrate his return.

·         The parable also introduces the theme of forgiveness, as seen in the father's response to his son's return. Despite his son's rebellion and squandering of the family fortune, the father forgives him and restores him to his former position in the family. This is a powerful example of God's forgiveness towards us, no matter how much we may have strayed from his will.

·         The older son's reaction to the party show the human tendency to struggle with forgiveness, as he cannot bring himself to celebrate his brother's return. This highlights the need for all of us to learn to forgive and show grace towards those who have wronged us, just as God has forgiven us. Overall, the Prodigal Son Parable offers a message of hope and redemption, encouraging us to turn back to God and embrace his forgiveness, no matter how far we may have strayed.

Resource Mentioned:  

FREE Forgiveness Conversation Starter guide that has 20 thought provoking questions you can ask each other to begin to implement the powerful tool of Forgiveness into your relationship.  Forgiveness can heal hurts and strengthen the connection in marriage. 

Other Great Resources:

We have an incredible offer right now on "The Power of Forgiveness" online course that you and your spouse can walk through together in the comfort of your own home.  Lots of modules, videos, and worksheets to help you implement this powerful tool in your relationship.  

Click on this link:  The Power of Forgiveness Online Course.  Normally the course is offered at $297 but as a thank you for listening to our podcast we are offering it at $97.  Just input code FG97 where it says "Have a Coupon?" at checkout.  

Check out our other FREE helpful resources:  

• Our Love How Deep Newsletter comes out weekly with lots of great tips and resources for your marriage
• Follow our the Love How Deep Facebook Page where we post thought provoking questions and ideas several times a week.  
• Get our FREE 10 Practical Communication Strategies Guide to connect more deeply with your spouse.
• Need to make a habit to be more positive in your marriage?  Check out the FREE 21 Days of Gratitude Journal with lots of questions to get your thoughts moving in a more positive direction.
• Get more in touch with your own Core Values and those of your spouse.  Research suggests that when we become more aware of our Core Values and use them in our daily life, that we live a more satisfied life and have more fulfilling relationships.  Get the FREE Core Values Exercise now.
• Is Life too busy to communicate daily essentials with your spouse?  Get this FREE one page No Time Note to leave your spouse the information and love that might be lacking right now.  
• Want to get a temperature check on your marriage Get the FREE Marriage Temperature Quiz guide.  Take the quiz, find your score, and get lots of helpful tips to turn up the temperature.  

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