Going Deeper with the Word – Forgive

Welcome to “Going Deeper with the Word.” In this segment, we welcome people of all backgrounds, religious or not, to review the Word of God. The Word of God provides guidance, direction, and instructions for living our lives and walking with God. 

Today, we examine how God’s Word provides clear guidance and direction about forgiveness.

Let’s review examples of God’s Word that can lead and guide our steps and back up the principles we learned in today’s message. I will be reading scripture today from the Amplified Bible.

If you are watching this message online, we invite you to share your comments as we review each verse.

Here is our first verse:

Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.

– ‭ Ephesians 4:32 AMP
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In this verse, we are reminded of God’s promise to forgive us when we ask for forgiveness. As we walk with God and grow in our faith, we learn of the importance of imitating God day to day as we interact with others in our lives. This verse highlights forgiveness ‘readily and freely’. In other words, ‘without hesitation or delay’. Easier said than done! Let us remember that we can always turn to God to ask for the strength to be kind and compassionate towards those who have wronged us.

Can you recall a time when you were wrong by someone and you found the strength to forgive ‘without hesitation or delay’? What led you to this decision? Let us know in the comments.

Let’s have a look at another verse.

“But I say to you who hear [Me and pay attention to My words]: Love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, [make it a practice to] do good to those who hate you,

– ‭Luke 6:27 AMP

In this verse, Jesus Christ outlines His instructions for our enemies. To unselfishly seek out the higher good and do good for those who hate us. Again, this is something very difficult to do, but I would like to point out the power of this posture toward our enemies especially when others are observing our reaction to wrongdoing from our enemies. 

It glorifies God when we demonstrate behavior that goes against the grain of the norm in today’s society. In today’s day and age, vengeance and retribution are the response to our enemies. When we show love to our enemies we are shattering the status quo in a way that reveals the power of our faith and strength that can only be had in a walk with God.

Have you forgiven someone lately? How did your act of forgiveness glorify God? Let us know in the comments.

Let’s look at one last verse.

If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].

– 1 John 1:9 AMP


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In this verse, we learn of God’s promise to forgive us AND cleanse us when we admit and confess our sins. We see special emphasis in this scripture about God addressing ‘everything’ that is not in conformity with His will and purpose. 

This verse is one of many that shows the true power of asking God for forgiveness, not just for the sin in and of itself, but the fact that God will forgive AND help us to avoid future transgressions. He may do this any number of ways, including bringing things to our attention that may be at the root cause of our sinful behavior.

Have you ever asked God for forgiveness only to notice something in your life that influenced you into sinful behavior? Let us know in the comments.

Forgiving is hard. When someone has wronged you, it can be difficult to break out of  bitterness and resentment. Only with God’s help can we find the strength and resolve to break free of the bondage created by anger and thirst for vengeance. God can help us to forgive and set us on a path to peace and healing.

Thank you for your time in reviewing these verses with me today. Please be sure to share in the comments how these or other examples of God’s Word have helped you to forgive.

Thank you for the opportunity to share encouragement. Here @walkinginstepwithGod we truly appreciate your support. We are fully committed to Christ and the community. We invite you to join us in fellowship and to seek opportunities for fellowship in your local community as well.