The Character Journal is a monthly e-zine designed to help parents teach Biblical character qualities to their children. Each month a different character quality will be presented with suggestions for Bible lessons and projects. The length of time you spend teaching these principles to your children each day is not nearly as important as your sincerity and consistency. Begin each time with a relevant hymn or chorus. Then take a verse, theme or story from the suggestions below as the basis for your daily "Bible Time" with your family. Give relevant application of the lesson to your family; and don't forget to ask your children the questions: Who? What? Where? Why? When? and How? Get each member of the family involved by assigning different verses to be read. Finally, conclude your time with family prayer.
Bible Verses Related to Forgiveness
Spend an evening (or several) looking at just one of these verses at a time. Don't forget to ask your children the questions: Who? What? Where? Why? When? and How? Discuss with your family what each verse or story teaches about the character quality; and give vital application of how this quality can be applied to your family. Choose several verses to memorise together as a family during the month.
For the sake of space, not all occurrences of the original word is given but enough to show the various ways in which the word is used. For a more complete study, we suggest you use the Online Bible which you can download free of charge from http://www.onlinebible.org.
03722 kaphar {kaw-far'}
a primitive root; TWOT - 1023,1024,1025,1026; v
AV - atonement 71, purge 7, reconciliation 4, reconcile 3, forgive 3, purge away 2, pacify
2, atonement...made 2, merciful 2, cleansed 1, disannulled 1, appease 1, put off 1, pardon
1, pitch 1; 102
1) to cover, purge, make an atonement, make reconciliation, cover over with pitch
1a) (Qal) to coat or cover with pitch
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to cover over, pacify, propitiate
1b2) to cover over, atone for sin, make atonement for
1b3) to cover over, atone for sin and persons by legal rites
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be covered over
1c2) to make atonement for
1d) (Hithpael) to be covered
Genesis 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou
make in the ark, and shalt pitch <03722> it within and without with pitch. {rooms:
Heb. nests}
Leviticus 4:20 And he shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for a sin
offering, so shall he do with this: and the priest shall make an atonement <03722>
for them, and it shall be forgiven them.
Leviticus 4:26 And he shall burn all his fat upon the altar, as the fat of the sacrifice
of peace offerings: and the priest shall make an atonement <03722> for him as
concerning his sin, and it shall be forgiven him.
Leviticus 4:31 And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat is taken away from
off the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a
sweet savour unto the LORD; and the priest shall make an atonement <03722> for him,
and it shall be forgiven him.
Leviticus 4:35 And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat of the lamb is taken
away from the sacrifice of the peace offerings; and the priest shall burn them upon the
altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the LORD: and the priest shall make an
atonement <03722> for his sin that he hath committed, and it shall be forgiven him.
Leviticus 5:10 And he shall offer the second for a burnt offering, according to the
manner: and the priest shall make an atonement <03722> for him for his sin which he
hath sinned, and it shall be forgiven him. {manner: or, ordinance}
Leviticus 5:13 And the priest shall make an atonement <03722> for him as touching
his sin that he hath sinned in one of these, and it shall be forgiven him: and the remnant
shall be the priest's, as a meat offering.
Leviticus 5:16 And he shall make amends for the harm that he hath done in the holy thing,
and shall add the fifth part thereto, and give it unto the priest: and the priest shall
make an atonement <03722> for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and it
shall be forgiven him.
Leviticus 5:18 And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy
estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest: and the priest shall make an
atonement <03722> for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred and wist it not,
and it shall be forgiven him.
Leviticus 6:7 And the priest shall make an atonement <03722> for him before the
LORD: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing
therein.
Leviticus 19:22 And the priest shall make an atonement <03722> for him with the ram
of the trespass offering before the LORD for his sin which he hath done: and the sin which
he hath done shall be forgiven him.
Numbers 15:25 And the priest shall make an atonement <03722> for all the
congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is
ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD,
and their sin offering before the LORD, for their ignorance:
Numbers 15:28 And the priest shall make an atonement <03722> for the soul that
sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement
<03722> for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
Deuteronomy 21:8 Be merciful <03722>, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast
redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood
shall be forgiven <03722> them. {unto thy people of: Heb. in the midst, etc}
Jeremiah 18:23 Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me: forgive
<03722> not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight, but let them
be overthrown before thee; deal thus with them in the time of thine anger. {to slay...:
Heb. for death}
05375 nasa' {naw-saw'} or nacah (Ps 4 : 6 [7]) {naw-saw'}
a primitive root; TWOT - 1421; v
AV - (bare, lift, etc...) up 219, bear 115, take 58, bare 34, carry 30, (take,
carry)..away 22, borne 22, armourbearer 18, forgive 16, accept 12, exalt 8, regard 5,
obtained 4, respect 3, misc 74; 654
1) to lift, bear up, carry, take
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to lift, lift up
1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure
1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted
1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up
1b3) to be borne, be carried
1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist
1c2) to desire, long (fig.)
1c3) to carry, bear continuously
1c4) to take, take away
1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity)
1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Genesis 4:13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is
greater than I can bear <05375>. {My...: or, Mine iniquity is greater than that it
may be forgiven}
Genesis 50:17 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive <05375>, I pray thee now, the
trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray
thee, forgive <05375> the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And
Joseph wept when they spake unto him.
Exodus 10:17 Now therefore forgive <05375>, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and
intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only.
Exodus 32:32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive <05375> their sin--; and if not, blot me,
I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
Exodus 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving <05375> iniquity and
transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity
of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to
the fourth generation.
Numbers 14:18 The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving <05375>
iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of
the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.
Numbers 14:19 Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the
greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven <05375> this people, from Egypt
even until now. {until...: or, hitherto}
Joshua 24:19 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy
God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive <05375> your transgressions nor your
sins. {holy God: Heb. holy Gods}
1 Samuel 25:28 I pray thee, forgive <05375> the trespass of thine handmaid: for the
LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the
LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.
Psalms 25:18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive <05375> all my sins.
Psalms 32:1 <<A Psalm of David, Maschil.>> Blessed is he whose transgression
is forgiven <05375> , whose sin is covered. {A Psalm...: or, A Psalm of David giving
instruction}
Psalms 85:2 Thou hast forgiven <05375> the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered
all their sin. Selah.
Isaiah 2:9 And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore
forgive <05375> them not.
Isaiah 33:24 And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein
shall be forgiven <05375> their iniquity.
05545 calach {saw-lakh'}
a primitive root; TWOT - 1505; v
AV - forgive 19, forgiven 13, pardon 13, spare 1; 46
1) to forgive, pardon
1a) (Qal) to forgive, pardon
1b) (Niphal) to be forgiven
Exodus 34:9 And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight,
O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon
<05545> our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.
Leviticus 19:22 And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the
trespass offering before the LORD for his sin which he hath done: and the sin which he
hath done shall be forgiven <05545> him.
Numbers 14:19 Pardon <05545>, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according
unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even
until now. {until...: or, hitherto}
Numbers 15:25 And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the
children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven <05545> them; for it is ignorance: and
they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD, and their sin
offering before the LORD, for their ignorance:
Numbers 15:26 And it shall be forgiven <05545> all the congregation of the children
of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the people were in
ignorance.
Numbers 15:28 And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly,
when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall
be forgiven <05545> him.
Numbers 30:5 But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her
vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall
forgive <05545> her, because her father disallowed her.
Numbers 30:8 But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it; then he shall
make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she
bound her soul, of none effect: and the LORD shall forgive <05545> her.
Numbers 30:12 But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them;
then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of
her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive
<05545> her.
1 Kings 8:30 And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people
Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling
place: and when thou hearest, forgive <05545>. {toward this place: or, in this
place}
1 Kings 8:34 Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive <05545> the sin of thy people
Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers.
1 Kings 8:36 Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive <05545> the sin of thy servants,
and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and
give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.
1 Kings 8:39 Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive <05545>, and
do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even
thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)
1 Kings 8:50 And forgive <05545> thy people that have sinned against thee, and all
their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion
before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:
2 Chronicles 6:21 Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy
people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place,
even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive <05545>. {make: Heb. pray}
{toward...: or, in this place}
2 Chronicles 6:25 Then hear thou from the heavens, and forgive <05545> the sin of
thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them and to
their fathers.
2 Chronicles 6:27 Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive <05545> the sin of thy
servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they
should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an
inheritance.
2 Chronicles 6:30 Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive
<05545>, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou
knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)
2 Chronicles 6:39 Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their
prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive <05545> thy
people which have sinned against thee. {cause: or, right}
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and
pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and
will forgive <05545> their sin, and will heal their land. {which...: Heb. upon whom
my name is called}
Psalms 103:3 Who forgiveth <05545> all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy
diseases;
Jeremiah 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his
brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto
the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive <05545> their iniquity, and
I will remember their sin no more.
Jeremiah 36:3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to
do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive
<05545> their iniquity and their sin.
Daniel 9:19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive <05545>; O Lord, hearken and do; defer
not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.
Amos 7:2 And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the
land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive <05545>, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob
arise? for he is small. {by...: or, who of (or, for,) Jacob shall stand?
05546 callach {saw-lawkh'}
from 05545; TWOT - 1505a; adj
AV - ready to forgive 1; 1
1) ready to forgive, forgiving
Psalms 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive <05546>; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
863 aphiemi {af-ee'-ay-mee}
from 575 and hiemi (to send, an intens. form of eimi, to go); TDNT - 1:509,88; v
AV - leave 52, forgive 47, suffer 14, let 8, forsake 6, let alone 6, misc 13; 146
1) to send away
1a) to bid going away or depart
1a1) of a husband divorcing his wife
1b) to send forth, yield up, to expire
1c) to let go, let alone, let be
1c1) to disregard
1c2) to leave, not to discuss now, (a topic) 1c21) of teachers, writers and speakers
1c3) to omit, neglect
1d) to let go, give up a debt, forgive, to remit
1e) to give up, keep no longer
2) to permit, allow, not to hinder, to give up a thing to a person
3) to leave, go way from one
3a) in order to go to another place
3b) to depart from any one
3c) to depart from one and leave him to himself so that all mutual claims are abandoned
3d) to desert wrongfully
3e) to go away leaving something behind
3f) to leave one by not taking him as a companion
3g) to leave on dying, leave behind one
3h) to leave so that what is left may remain, leave remaining
3i) abandon, leave destitute
Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer
<863> it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he
suffered <863> him.
Matthew 4:11 Then the devil leaveth <863> him, and, behold, angels came and
ministered unto him.
Matthew 4:20 And they straightway left <863> their nets, and followed him.
Matthew 4:22 And they immediately left <863> the ship and their father, and followed
him.
Matthew 5:24 Leave <863> there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be
reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Matthew 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let
<863> him have <863> thy cloke also.
Matthew 6:12 And forgive <863> us our debts, as we forgive <863> our debtors.
Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive <863> men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will
also forgive <863> you:
Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive <863> not men their trespasses, neither will your
Father forgive <863> your trespasses.
Matthew 9:2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and
Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins
be forgiven <863> thee.
Matthew 9:5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven <863> thee; or to
say, Arise, and walk?
Matthew 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive
<863> sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go
unto thine house.
Matthew 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven
<863> unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall <863> not be
forgiven <863> unto men.
Matthew 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven
<863> him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall <863> not
be forgiven <863> him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
Matthew 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against
me, and I forgive <863> him? till seven times?
Matthew 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your
hearts forgive <863> not every one his brother their trespasses.
Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be
forgiven <863> thee.
Mark 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive <863> sins but
God only?
Mark 2:9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven
<863> thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
Mark 2:10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive
<863> sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
Mark 3:28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven <863> unto the sons of
men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
Mark 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not
understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven
<863> them.
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive <863>, if ye have ought against any:
that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive <863> you your trespasses.
Mark 11:26 But if ye do <863> not forgive <863>, neither will <863> your
Father which is in heaven forgive <863> your trespasses.
Luke 5:20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven
<863> thee.
Luke 5:21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which
speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive <863> sins, but God alone?
Luke 5:23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven <863> thee; or to say,
Rise up and walk?
Luke 5:24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive
<863> sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take
up thy couch, and go into thine house.
Luke 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven <863>;
for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven <863>, the same loveth little.
Luke 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven <863>.
Luke 7:49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this
that forgiveth <863> sins also?
Luke 11:4 And forgive <863> us our sins; for we also forgive <863> every one
that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
Luke 12:10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven
<863> him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall <863>
not be forgiven <863>.
Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and
if he repent, forgive <863> him.
Luke 17:4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day
turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive <863> him.
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive <863> them; for they know not what they
do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of
thine heart may be forgiven <863> thee.
Romans 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven <863>, and whose
sins are covered.
James 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up;
and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven <863> him.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive <863> us our
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven <863>
you for his name's sake.
630 apoluo {ap-ol-oo'-o}
from 575 and 3089;; v
AV - release 17, put away 14, send away 13, let go 13, set at liberty 2, let depart 2,
dismiss 2, misc 6; 69
1) to set free
2) to let go, dismiss, (to detain no longer)
2a) a petitioner to whom liberty to depart is given by a decisive answer
2b) to bid depart, send away
3) to let go free, release
3a) a captive i.e. to loose his bonds and bid him depart, to give him liberty to depart
3b) to acquit one accused of a crime and set him at liberty
3c) indulgently to grant a prisoner leave to depart
3d) to release a debtor, i.e. not to press one's claim against him, to remit his debt
4) used of divorce, to dismiss from the house, to repudiate. The wife of a Greek or Roman
may divorce her husband.
5) to send one's self away, to depart
Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not
willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put <630> her away <630>
privily.
Matthew 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away <630> his wife, let him
give her a writing of divorcement:
Matthew 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away <630> his wife,
saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall
marry her that is divorced <630> committeth adultery.
Matthew 14:15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert
place, and the time is now past; send <630> the multitude away <630>, that
they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be
condemned: forgive <630>, and ye shall be forgiven <630>:
859 aphesis {af'-es-is}
from 863; TDNT - 1:50 9,88; n f
AV - remission 9, forgiveness 6, deliverance 1, liberty 1; 17
1) release from bondage or imprisonment
2) forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed),
remission of the penalty
Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is
shed for many for the remission <859> of sins.
Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the
remission <859> of sins. {for: or, unto}
Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness
<859>, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to
give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness <859> of sins.
Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is
preached unto you the forgiveness <859> of sins:
Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power
of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness <859> of sins, and inheritance
among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness <859> of
sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness
<859> of sins:
5483 charizomai {khar-id'-zom-ahee}
middle voice from 5485; TDNT - 9:372,1298; v
AV - forgive 11, give 6, freely give 2, deliver 2, grant 1, frankly forgive 1; 23
1) to do something pleasant or agreeable (to one), to do a favour to, gratify
1a) to show one's self gracious, kind, benevolent
1b) to grant forgiveness, to pardon
1c) to give graciously, give freely, bestow
1c1) to forgive
1c2) graciously to restore one to another
1c3) to preserve for one a person in peril
Luke 7:21 And in that same hour he cured many of their
infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave
<5483> sight.
Luke 7:42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave <5483> them both.
Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
Luke 7:43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave <5483>
most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.2 Corinthians 2:7 So that
contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive <5483> him, and comfort him , lest perhaps
such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
2 Corinthians 2:10 To whom ye forgive <5483> any thing, I forgive also: for if I
forgave <5483> any thing, to whom I forgave <5483> it, for your sakes forgave
I it in the person of Christ; {person: or, sight}
2 Corinthians 12:13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it
be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive <5483> me this wrong.
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving <5483> one
another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven <5483> you.
Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh,
hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven <5483> you all trespasses;
Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving <5483> one another, if any man
have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave <5483> you, so also do ye.
{quarrel: or, complaint}
Clearing the record of those who have wronged me and not holding a grudge (Character First!)
1 v.t. Give, grant. 2 v.t. Pardon (an offence); cease to resent or claim requital for; remit (a debt). (Foll. by indirect obj. or to a person.) 3 v.i. Pardon an offence or an offender; give up resentment against a person etc. 4 v.t. Give up resentment against, pardon, (an offender) (foll. by for); (now rare) give up ones claim against (a debtor). 5 v.t. Give up (resentment, anger); give up ones resolve to do. (New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary)
How to Demonstrate Forgiveness
to God
to Parents
to your Employers/Teachers
to your Church Leaders
The "I Wills" of Forgiveness
-Character First! Education Series 1
GOOD FOR EVIL
(1) Examples of Returning
--Joseph
# Ge 45:15
--Moses
# Nu 12:13
--David
# 1Sa 24:17 26:11
--Elisha
# 2Ki 6:22 Ps 35:13
--Jesus
# Lu 22:51 23:34
--Stephen
# Ac 7:60 1Co 4:12
(2) Enjoined
# Ex 23:5 Pr 25:21 Mt 5:44 Lu 6:27,35 Ro 12:20 1Th 5:15
Inability to Think
When the Moravian missionaries first went to the Eskimos, they could not find a word in their language for forgiveness, so they had to compound one. This turned out to be: issumagijoujumgnainermik. It is a formidable looking assembly of letters, but an expression that has a beautiful connotation for those who understand it. It means: "Not-being-able-to-think-about-it-anymore."
-Ministers' Research Service
One evening Maskepetoon was deeply moved by the missionary's address on our Lord's dying prayer. "Father, forgive them." The next day a band of Indians was approaching, in which was the man who had murdered Maskepetoon's only son. His son, sent into a secluded valley, had never returned; and the son's companion said that he had fallen over a precipice, though in fact he had murdered him. Unknown to the murderer, the tragedy had been witnessed by some Indians who later reported it to the bereaved chief.
When the two bands were within a few hundred yards of each other, the eagle eye of the old chief detected the murderer, and, drawing his tomahawk from his belt, he rode up till he was face to face with the man who had murdered his son.
Maskepetoon, with a voice tremulous with suppressed feeling, yet with an admirable command over himself, looking the man full in the eyes said: "You deserve to die. I sent him with you, his trusted companion. You betrayed my trust and cruelly killed my only son! You have done me and.my tribe the greatest injury that is possible. You deserve to die; but for what I heard from the missionary at the camp fire last nigh, I would already have killed you! The missionary told us that, if we expected God to forgive, we must forgive the greatest wrong.
"You have been my worst enemy, and deserve to die!" With deep emotion he continued, "As I hope God will forgive me, I forgive you." Then, hastily pulling his war bonnet over his face, Maskepetoon bowed down over his horse's neck and gave way to an agony of tears.
For years Maskepetoon lived a devoted Christian life. He preached to others. And after influencing many of his own tribe to turn from killing their enemies, the Blackfeet, he gave them no other weapon but the "Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."
But a bloodthirsty chief of that vindictive tribe, remembering some of their fierce conflicts of other days, and, perhaps, having lost by Maskepetoon's own prowess some of his relatives in those conflicts, seized his gun, and, in defiance of all rules of humanity, coolly shot down the converted chieftain.
Who can say that forgiveness is not a costly thing? Maskepetoon suffered a broken heart to forgive the murderer of his son. Then it cost him his life to forgive his enemies, to go to them unarmed and preach to them forgiveness of sin.
-Prairie Overcomer
Two Sides to Forgiveness
There are two sides of forgiveness which are vital for everyone to understand. Not only should forgiveness be shown to an offender, but a person must ask for forgiveness for the wrong he or she has done to someone else. It takes humility to admit a wrong action, statement, or thought, but the trust that is established is well worth the effort. Healthy relationships are built on a willingness to both forgive and to ask for forgiveness when offenses occur.
Those who have a prideful attitude, supposing they do not need forgiveness, tend to be more critical and judge others more harshly. In order to maintain a "high" self-esteem, they tend to find faults that put others down.
On the other hand, people who realize they are wrong and ask for forgiveness develop a rich understanding of being forgiven. It is out of the experience of needing forgiveness that a person learns how to truly forgive those who hurt him or her.
-Character First! Education Series 1
1. Ask God to reveal to your mind the people against whom you are holding feelings that are not right. Make a list of the name(s) as God reveals them. Also, check yourself to see if you are holding any bitterness toward God or yourself, and include these names on your list if that is the case.
2. Start at the bottom of the list, because these are usually the people who are easier to forgive. As you work your way up the list, tell God you forgive each person and release the hurts to Him. That's forgiving from your heart. We are bitter for a reason, and we must get in touch with pain-that is, the reasons we are bitter.
3. If after forgiving the person for the major offense you recall a specific, hurtful incident, don't let your feelings smolder anew. Instead, release them to God then and there. In my experience with my own father I found that after dealing with the major offenses, I would remember days or weeks later a specific incident. I would stop and pray "God, I forgive my dad for (the specific offense) also." You only need to deal with the things God brings to your remembrance.
4. Tell God you are willing to live with the ongoing consequences of the offender's action and share these with Him in prayer.
5. Ask God to take back the ground you have given Satan through unforgiveness, then turn around and reach for the things that are ahead.
6. If some future action of a person you have forgiven triggers painful memories and you are tempted to pick up past bitterness, release this temptation to God on the spot.
-Reclaiming Surrendered Ground
Having a conscience free from guilt means clearing all offenses against others and, where possible, seeking forgiveness and making restitution. God is involved in this process, as shown below.
1. If someone you know was making a list of people who had hurt them and never asked their forgiveness, would you be on that list? Pray, asking God to reveal anyone who might feel you hurt them.
2. Make a list of all the people God brings to your mind whom you have offended and have not sought forgiveness from.
3. If possible, go over your list with a mature Christian and identity the basic offense against each person on that list. If you need to ask God's forgiveness for these offenses, do so now. It's always the right time to get right with God.
4. Rule out those people in whose lives your reappearance now would cause serious difficulty; for example, an old girlfriend who is now married.
5. Contact those individuals by telephone if possible, and be brief. Tell the particular person that as you have been looking back over your life, you realize that you failed him in _________ way, naming the offense. Then ask for forgiveness.
6. Make restitution where needed.
7. If certain people have benefited you but you've never shown appreciation, express to them gratitude for what you have gained. If you have a problem with being grateful, start sending thank-you notes to people who have benefited you, sharing how God has used them to build, strengthen, or challenge you.
8. Ask God to take back all ground given to Satan because you have purposed in your heart to contact these people and make things right.
-Reclaiming Surrendered Ground
-from the message "Victory over the Spirit of Anger" by Dr. S.M. Davis
Two Probing Questions
-Character Clues Game, IBLP
Be Like Jesus
"And they took knowledge of them, that
they had been with Jesus."
By modelling anger. Proverbs 22:24-25
By not having marital harmony. Genesis 2:24 (Repeated four times in the Bible); Hebrews 12:15
By consistently disciplining in anger. Psalm 6:1; 38:1
By being inconsistent with discipline. Ecclesiastes 8:11
By having double standards. Matthew 23:1-4; Philippians 4:9
By not admitting when wrong. Matthew 5:23-26; Job 32:2; James 5:16
By constantly finding fault. Job 32:2-3
By reversing God-given roles. Ephesians 5:22-24; Genesis 3:16
By not listening to the childs opinion or the childs side of the story. Proverbs 18:13,17
By comparing them to others. 2 Corinthians 10:12
By not having time to talk with them. Ephesians 5:18
By not praising the child. 2 Corinthians 2:6-8; Revelation 2,3
By failing to keep promises. Matthew 5:37; Colossians 3:9; Psalm 15:4
By scolding him/her in front of others. Matthew 18:15; John 21:15-17
By giving too much freedom. Proverbs 29:15; Galatians 4:1-2
By being too strict. James 3:17
By making fun of the child. Job 17:1-2
By abusing them physically. 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7; Numbers 22
By calling them names. Ephesians 4:29
By having unrealistic expectations. 1 Corinthians 13:11
Sources used for compiling this mailing: