Christian teachings about forgiveness

• • Bible instructs Christians to forgive: ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.’ Luke 6:37
• • Lord’s Prayer emphasises the importance of forgiveness.
  • (‘forgive us our trespasses , as we forgive those who trespass against us.' means Christians can expect forgiveness from God if they are forgiving)
• • In the Beatitudes, Jesus teaches the importance of forgiveness: ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.’ Matthew 5:7  
• • Jesus’ words from the cross show importance of forgiveness: ‘Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.’ Luke 23:35 
• • Jesus’ forgiving actions gives Christians an example to follow
  • (He visited the tax collector, Zacchaeus, despite his cheating and selfishness)
• • Jesus forgave an adulterous woman, telling her to ‘go and sin no more’. John 8:1-11 
• • Parable of the Prodigal Son teaches about forgiveness and repentance.
  • A son demands inheritance from his father, blows all the money irresponsibly travelling, his father welcomes his return.
  • Teaches God will always forgive us, if we turn back to him and are truly sorry.  
• • Parable of the Unmerciful Servant emphasises having to grant forgiveness to get forgiveness.
  • Servant refuses to forgive a friend for borrowing small money when he had been forgiven by his master for borrowing a much larger amount of money.
  • Teaches Christians to forgive infinitely because they'll be forgiven by God for all their many sins.