Question 1

What does being forgiven mean?

Accepted Answer

Isaiah 1:18“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.”Colossians 1:21-22You were his [God’s] enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.Being forgiven by God means that he looks at us as though we had never sinned. When we receive his forgiveness by faith through trusting in Christ, we are blameless in his sight. When God forgives, he doesn’t merely hide our sins; he completely washes them away.Acts 8:22-23“Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”Sin traps us in bitterness, evil addictions, and a condemning guilt that tells us we can never change. Forgiveness and repentance provide the opportunity for a fresh start—an affirmation that our sins do not need to define and control us.Matthew 5:44“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”Being forgiven by God paves the way for harmonious relationships, even with our enemies.Romans 4:7Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight.Colossians 2:13You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.Forgiveness brings great joy because we have been freed from the heavy weight of guilt and are no longer slaves to our sinful nature.Acts 2:38Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”Being forgiven of our sins by God allows us to receive the gift of God’s Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us battle temptation and guides us through life.Romans 10:9-10If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.God’s forgiveness is the only way we can have the assurance of eternal life.

Question 2

How can God forgive me?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 51:4Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight.Regardless of what we have done, we need to realize that God is the one who has ultimately been wronged by our sins. He is the first person we need to ask for forgiveness.2 Chronicles 7:14“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”Ezra 10:11“So now confess your sin to the Lord, the God of your ancestors, and do what he demands. Separate yourselves from the people of the land and from these pagan women.”Jeremiah 3:22“My wayward children,” says the Lord, “come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.” “Yes, we’re coming,” the people reply, “for you are the Lord our God.”1 John 1:8-9If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.Honestly confessing sin is the first step to forgiveness. To confess means to agree with God that we have done something wrong. Because Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead to show his power over death, God accepts our confession and forgives us, regardless of what we have done. We can do nothing to earn it—we are forgiven by God’s grace, his undeserved favor. And his forgiveness is complete. We shouldn’t allow lingering feelings of shame to persuade us otherwise.Matthew 26:28“This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.”Jesus died so that God’s forgiveness would be freely available to us. On the Cross, Jesus took the punishment we deserve. He paid our debt in full. If we want to be free from our sins, we should repent, telling God that we are sorry. Then we should thank him for Jesus and his work and ask him to forgive us and change us. God will always answer that prayer.Psalm 51:17The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.God is more ready to forgive than we may be to repent. A broken and humble heart is the quickest way to spiritual wholeness.Acts 10:43“He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”Acts 13:38“We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins.”We receive God’s forgiveness by trusting in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. Trusting Jesus as our Savior means admitting we cannot save ourselves and accepting his sacrifice for our sins. Trusting Jesus as our Lord means giving him authority over our lives, denying sin, and striving to become more like him.

Question 3

Can all my sins be forgiven? I’ve done some terrible things.

Accepted Answer

Psalm 103:3, 10-12He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. . . . He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.Joel 2:32“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”Mark 3:28“I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven.”Romans 8:38I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.Forgiveness is not based on the magnitude of the sin but the magnitude of the forgiver’s love. No sin is too great for God’s complete and unconditional love. The Bible does, however, mention one unforgivable sin—harboring an attitude of defiant hostility toward God that prevents us from accepting his forgiveness (see Matthew 12:31; Mark 3:28-29). Only those who don’t want God’s forgiveness are out of its reach.1 Timothy 1:15-16This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.Saul (Paul) was a violent, self-righteous persecutor of the Church. He did all that he could to oppose the early believers, including imprisonment and even murder (Acts 8:1-3). But even Saul was changed by God’s grace. We know him best as the great missionary who wrote half the New Testament. If Paul, “the worst of sinners,” could be redeemed by God’s love, so can we.Matthew 26:33-34Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.”Luke 22:61At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered that the Lord had said, “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”John 21:17A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”Peter swore he would never leave Jesus, but in Jesus’ darkest hour, Peter denied him three times. Worst of all, Jesus had predicted Peter would do this, and he caught Peter in the act. After falling so far, Peter must have doubted Jesus would ever trust him in the same way again. One day after Jesus’ resurrection, Peter decided to go fishing—his occupation before he met Jesus. Jesus met Peter and the other disciples there and, after a meal with them on the beach, he led Peter aside to talk with him. Three times, Jesus asked Peter if Peter loved him, and just as Peter had denied Jesus three times, he was given the opportunity three times to reaffirm his love for Jesus. Then, just as Jesus had called Peter from his fishing boat so many years ago, he called Peter again with the same command: “Follow me.” Peter went on to lead the early church and even died a martyr for the cause of Christ (John 21:18-19). If you have fallen in your walk with Christ, do not despair—God is not finished with you yet (Philippians 1:6).

Question 4

Why would God want to forgive me for a terrible sin?

Accepted Answer

Numbers 14:19“In keeping with your magnificent, unfailing love, please pardon the sins of this people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.”Ezekiel 18:23“Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.”Luke 15:10“There is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”Romans 5:8God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.God’s love is his motivation for his forgiveness. He wants a relationship with us more than anything; and he is happy to forgive us for any sin, no matter how terrible, if we simply long for the same relationship with him and seek his forgiveness. When a sinner is forgiven, heaven is filled with rejoicing!

Question 5

What happens when I confess my sin?

Accepted Answer

1 John 1:9If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.God promises to forgive our sins when we confess them to him.Romans 8:1There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.The amazing truth of the Good News is that those who trust in Jesus Christ are forever free from God’s judgment. That should make us more grateful and more eager to honor the Lord by godly living.Psalm 103:3, 10-12He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. . . . He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.Isaiah 43:25“I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.”When we confess our sins and trust Jesus Christ, our sins are wiped away. They will not be held against us. Then, because we are freely pardoned by God, we should forgive ourselves and other people without hesitation.

Question 6

Do I have to forgive others who hurt me?

Accepted Answer

Luke 17:3-4So watch yourselves! “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”Yes, we should be willing and ready to forgive those who hurt us. But forgiveness doesn’t mean ignoring sin. Repentance and forgiveness involve confronting the pain and conflict someone’s sin brings to a relationship. Love can be tough.Matthew 18:21-22Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”Just as God forgives us without limit, so we should forgive others without keeping track and counting their wrongs.Luke 23:34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”Jesus even forgave those who mocked him and killed him. Most of the people who hurt us don’t think they have done anything wrong to us, which means that we, too, have almost certainly hurt people without knowing it. If we don’t forgive, we will become bitter. Among the soldiers and onlookers at the cross, we don’t see evidence of repentance; instead the people mocked Jesus. But Jesus forgave them anyway. We should follow his example.Colossians 3:13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.1 Peter 3:8-9Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.When people say hurtful things about us, God wants us to respond by blessing them. God offered us a forgiveness we could never earn. After being forgiven so much, how can we deny such forgiveness to others?

Question 7

How can I forgive someone who has hurt me deeply?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 6:14-15“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”Mark 11:25“When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”We will receive God’s forgiveness only when we are willing to forgive others who have wronged us. Being unwilling to forgive shows that we have not understood or benefited from God’s forgiveness.Matthew 5:44“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”Forgiveness means praying for those who hate and hurt us. This releases us from the destructive emotions of anger, bitterness, and revenge.Ephesians 4:31Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.An unforgiving attitude not only ruins our relationships, but it also poisons our souls. It is we ourselves who suffer the most from our unforgiveness.Ephesians 4:32Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.God’s forgiveness is the motivation and the model for our forgiveness of others. If God has forgiven us, how can we refuse to forgive someone who has wronged us? Our forgiveness, like God’s, is a gift of grace, free to the recipient yet often costly to the giver.Romans 12:19Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.Punishing evildoers is God’s job, not ours, and God can be trusted to administer justice. Therefore, we can remove ourselves from the endless cycle of revenge and retaliation by forgiving.Luke 23:34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”Jesus forgave even those who mocked and killed him. We should be more concerned about our offenders and their relationship with God than about nursing our grudges and self-pity.1 Peter 3:8-9Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.When people say hurtful things about us, God calls us to respond by blessing them.

Question 8

What is the limit to how much God will forgive me?

Accepted Answer

Isaiah 1:18“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.”Joel 2:32“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”No matter how sinful and disobedient we have been, we can receive God’s forgiveness by turning to him in repentance.Psalm 86:5O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.Psalm 103:3He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.Ezekiel 18:22“All their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done.”God is ready right now to forgive us.Matthew 18:23-27“The Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt. But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.”God is merciful toward us, even though our debt is great.Luke 24:47“It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’”Ephesians 1:7He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.Colossians 1:13-14He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.God will forgive every sin because Christ has already paid the penalty for all sin by his death.Mark 3:28-29“I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences.”Romans 6:1-2Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?Romans 7:19-20I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.God’s forgiveness is not a license to sin. We will not achieve perfection in this life—sin still clings to us—but we must fight it constantly. True repentance and forgiveness points us away from sin and inspires us to become more like Christ. Those who harden themselves against God’s Spirit and reject him utterly, however, will never experience his forgiveness. This is not because God does not offer it, but because those who are hardened reject it.Luke 17:4“Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”Love has no limit. Neither does forgiveness!

Question 9

What is the “unforgivable sin”?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 12:31“So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven.”Mark 3:28-29“I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences.”Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is called an “unforgivable sin.” The reason it is unforgiveable is because it reflects a settled, hardhearted attitude of defiant hostility toward God. A person who has that attitude will never come to God for forgiveness, so such a sin is unforgivable. Anyone who is worried about whether he or she has committed the unforgivable sin, proves that he or she has not.

Question 10

What happens when I forgive someone?

Accepted Answer

Colossians 3:12-15Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.Hebrews 12:14-15Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.Forgiving others allows us to receive God’s peace and keeps us from bitterness.

Question 11

Why should leaders be concerned with forgiveness?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 6:14-15“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”Colossians 3:13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.1 Peter 3:8-9Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.Tensions and conflicts invariably arise between leaders and the people they lead. Wise leaders make confession of their failures and forgiveness of others a way of life in their group or organization. They set the tone, with believers and non-believers alike. They are motivated by the clear teaching of God’s Word that we will receive God’s forgiveness only when we are willing to forgive others who have wronged us.Matthew 18:15-17“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.”Matthew 18:21-22Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”Mark 11:25-26“When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”Luke 17:3-4“So watch yourselves! If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”Leaders need to have a strong relationship with God, and when we refuse to forgive, our relationship with God is stunted. Just as God forgives us without limit, so we should forgive others without count. Leaders, however, are also called to shepherd those under their care. Part of that includes confronting sin, calling for repentance, and applying discipline. Without this, grace becomes cheap, and sin becomes acceptable. Sometimes, a leader’s love must be tough.2 Corinthians 2:5-8I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.Good leaders understand that refusing to forgive someone can push that person into even deeper problems. It is acceptable to require a person to suffer the natural and logical consequences for their mistakes or offenses. It is not acceptable to discourage them by withholding forgiveness.

Question 12

What are the signs I have truly forgiven someone?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 5:44“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”Mark 11:2“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”Acts 7:59-60As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.Romans 12:14Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.We have truly forgiven someone when we can pray for that person, asking God to “bless” him or her.Romans 12:17-21Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.We have truly forgiven someone when we do not think about getting revenge in any way. Taking revenge includes telling others about how we have been wronged, making the one who has hurt us look bad, making the person feel guilty, or wishing the worst for him or her.Colossians 3:13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.Philippians 4:8Now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.We have truly forgiven someone when we think positively about that person, focusing on what we see in him or her that is “excellent and worthy of praise.”Matthew 18:21-22Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”We have truly forgiven someone when we continue to forgive that person, even as he or she continues to wrong or hurt us.