The Quill and Me
Forgiveness Meaning: What the Bible Teaches About Letting Go
People everywhere are searching—searching for the meaning of Bible verses, searching for the biblical meaning of forgiveness, searching for the very heart of forgiveness itself. And I am searching for those people.
Bible Verses About Forgiveness
Matthew 18:21–22 tells us:
Then Peter came to Him and asked, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
There is a place prepared for each of us, waiting in Heaven. All we must do is accept His gift. Yet that is hard for us, as humans, to humble ourselves like little children and receive it freely—without trying to earn it or pay it back. Our way is to resist obligation. But His ways are not our ways. And though we struggle to understand, He knows us. He created us. He knows every hair on our heads.
If you want to go to Heaven, if you want to live forever in that glorious place with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—you must accept His death, His resurrection, His love, His forgiveness of your sins. He has already forgiven them—even the sins you have not yet committed. And yes, you will sin tomorrow, because you are human, not holy.
Because He forgave us, we must forgive others. If we do not, it is unacceptable in the eyes of God.
Why Holding a Grudge Blocks Forgiveness
Matthew 18:21–35 tells the parable of the unforgiving servant:
A man, though forgiven of his own great debt, refused mercy to another. Because of his hardness, he was handed over to tormentors until he repaid every last penny.
And verse 35 warns: “So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”
The New Living Translation puts it plainly: “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters in your heart.”
So, what does forgiveness mean? It means letting bygones be bygones. It means forgetting their transgressions against you, casting them into the sea to be washed away forever. It means loving one another as Christ loves you. He accepts you with all your faults. We are not to judge—for only God is qualified to judge. He alone sees the heart. He knows your intentions, whether good or bad, and He knows the heart of the one who hurt you.
Deuteronomy 32:35 and Romans 12:19 remind us: “Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord.” He alone is qualified to hand out vengeance, because He alone judges the heart.
How to Forgive When It Feels Impossible
And so, if you cannot forgive by yourself, go to Him. Lay it at His feet. Say: “Lord, I am having a difficult time. I say I have forgiven, but I cannot forget. Whenever I think of this person, I think of what they did. Please remove this animosity, this grudge, this pain. I cannot do it alone. You forgave me of all my sins and welcomed me into Your presence. Help me forgive as You forgive.”
Sometimes, forgiveness also means forgiving yourself—for the choices that allowed someone to hurt you, for trusting the wrong people, for mistakes made along the way. But even here, the answer is the same: trust Jesus alone. Go to Him with every decision. He will not fail you.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the immeasurable gift of forgiveness through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Teach us to forgive as You forgive—to release bitterness, to lay down grudges, and to trust You with justice. When forgiveness feels impossible, remind us of the cross and the mercy we have received. Fill our hearts with Your Spirit, so that love may triumph over hurt, and peace may replace anger. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Question
Is there someone in your life—past or present—that you need to forgive, or perhaps yourself? What step can you take today to lay that burden at the Lord’s feet and invite His healing?
Quil
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