Author: Sodwana Bay

10 Bible verses about forgiveness Reuters It’s one of the hardest things to obey, but Jesus was clear in his teaching that Christians must forgive others – it’s even in the Lord’s Prayer. The good news is that God also forgives us. Here are 10 Bible verses to remind you of His mercy, as well as his call on us to forgive others, too. Psalm 103:8-12 “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbour his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Acts 10:42-43 “He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Ephesians 1:7-10 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfilment — to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” Colossians 1:13-14 “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Ephesians 4:31-32 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Psalm 130:4 “But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.” Isaiah 1:18(b) “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 53:5 “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” via 10 Bible verses about forgiveness | Christian News on Christian Today.

People drift away from God for different kinds of reasons. American evangelist Billy Graham has become familiar with all these reasons in all his years of preaching the Gospel. However, he is certain that God still loves even those who drift away from Him. More often than not, Graham has noticed that people distance themselves from God because they have become too preoccupied with other things. Sometimes it’s simply because people are trapped by their own sins and way of living and they refuse to give it up. “I often think of one of Jesus’ parables in this connection,” he shares in an article written for the Kansas City Star. The parable can be found in the Bible verses Luke 8:4 to 15. “In it Jesus told about a farmer who sowed seed in his field, hoping it would grow and mature. Some seed landed on good soil and produced a bountiful crop, but other seed didn’t; it fell on hard or rocky ground where it couldn’t grow. Still other seed landed among thorns, and for a time it sprouted and looked like it might prosper. But the fragile plants didn’t last; the thorns overcame them.” This is the same thing that can happen to people if they insist on living their lives without God, Graham says. And even though people hear God’s word and it starts to take root in their souls, over time it gets “smothered” by other things. This is what Luke 8:14 says: “As they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” “Perhaps this is what has happened to you,” says Graham. “But listen: God still loves you, and he wants to forgive you and welcome you into his family. Don’t look back at the end of your life and realise you missed all that God had for you. Instead, turn to Christ and confess your sins and your need of him today. He wants to welcome you home.” via God loves even those who have drifted away from Him, says Billy Graham | Christian News on Christian Today.