Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.
The Degree of Sin and Forgiveness
Most of us operate under the assumption that some sins are worse than others and harder to forgive, but is this a biblical idea?
Philip Yancey related a disturbing conversation he’d had with a friend on the topic of forgiveness, reflecting on a historical event he had read about that echoed humanity’s troubled understanding of forgiveness.
Proverbs 19:11
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
What It Looks Like to Love an Enemy
“Love your enemies … hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great … He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful … Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you … For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:35-38).
Reconciliation Across Great Divides
If we have been wounded, frightened or affronted by others, how do we obey the Bible’s commands to forgive and build community across these chasms of pain and offense?
At Mission ConneXion Northwest, Michael Ramsden was invited to be a plenary speaker, and he shared this illustration at the beginning of his talk.
How Forgiveness Reveals a Transformed Heart
Most of Jesus’ parables relate to him and his church. In Matthew 18 he describes a king who calls his servants to account. Evidently, the king was dealing with servants who had been exposed for committing crimes and the servant in greatest debt was one of the first offenders to be brought before him. In some way, this man had managed to fall into tremendous debt, owing the equivalent of hundreds of millions of dollars. When he was called to account, “he was not able to pay” (Matthew 18:25).
BONUS EPISODE: It's Not Racist to Talk About Racism
Ron Brown joins Gary Wilkerson in this special episode to discuss racism in America.
1 Timothy 4:10
For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Loving Others in Spite of Their Sins
One of the supreme marks of a mature believer is love for all of lost humankind. Such a Christian shows love equally for Jews and Palestinians, for Bosnians and Serbs, for everyone.