4 Powerful Stories of

Forgiveness From the

Bible That We Can
Learn From

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In this article, we will be exploring 4 stories of forgiveness

from the Bible. Each story will help you see the power of
forgiveness and reconciliation. So, grab your Bible, and let’s
dig in…

One of the top things that God wants us to do as Christians

are to forgive. And to be honest this can be easier said than
done. But the power of forgiveness is evident in those who
choose to forgive their offenders. When we forgive others,
we free ourselves from the power others have over us and
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 release us spiritually as well.

The Word is clear that God expects us to forgive as many

times as we need to…

One time, Peter asked Jesus how many times he was to

forgive others who sin against him. Jesus told him, “I tell you,
not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew
18:22) This shows that there is no limit to how many times
we need to forgive others.
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 4POWERFUL
BIBLESTORIES
ABOUT
FORGIVENESS

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We are able to extend forgiveness to others because God

gives us the grace to do so. It is not easy to forgive some
offenses, especially those that cost us dearly and can even
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 cause us trauma. But our God is BIG and He can bring
healing to our broken hearts. We just need to be willing to
continue to go to Him and ask for His healing touch.

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Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy

laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke
upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle
and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for
your souls. – Matthew 11:28-29 (NKJV)

Bible Stories About

Forgiveness
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 Now, in this article, we will look at some Bible stories of
forgiveness. These examples are a great way to learn how
individuals in scripture were able to forgive, reconcile, and
extend love even after being betrayed and hurt by others. It’s
pretty incredible.

Joseph
The story of Joseph is one of my favorites in scripture. It’s
powerful and Joseph himself was a foreshadow of Christ.

Now, Joseph was the son of Jacob, and one time, he told his
brothers about two dreams he had (More on his dreams
here)
here). His brothers hated him because they thought he was
telling them that he would rule over them (Genesis 5-11).
Even his parents didn’t appreciate what the dreams were
telling him. This led Joseph’s brothers to plot to kill him but
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 opted to sell him to merchants headed to Egypt. There they
sold him, and Joseph ended up as a slave under Potiphar.

And when you think things couldn’t get worse…Potiphar

throws him in prison because his wife falsely accuses Joseph
of rape.

Eventually, God elevated Joseph to become the second in

command to Pharaoh. Joseph met his brothers many years
later when they came looking for food in Egypt during a
famine. He recognized them but they did not know him until
he identified himself as their brother. Joseph was reconciled
to his brothers and did not hold anything against them. He
embraced them and told them that God had sent him ahead
of them to ensure that he saved many from hunger (Genesis
45:5).

From Joseph’s story of forgiveness, we learn that it is

possible to forgive those who have wronged us in the worst
way. Joseph was a godly man and knew that God wanted
him to forgive his brothers and rescue them. By the grace of
God, he forgave them and put the past behind him.

The Prodigal Son

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 The story of the prodigal son is one that shows us the power
of forgiveness. It is a parable that Jesus gave about a father
who had two sons. The younger son of the man asked for
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 his share of the inheritance and the father willingly gave it to
him. The son went to a faraway land had squandered his
wealth in wild living.

A famine came on the land and the young man found himself
suffering since he blew his inheritance. He could not afford to
eat and he got a job as a farmhand charged with feeding
pigs. The only food available to him was the one the pigs
ate. At that point, he decided to go back home and ask his
father if he could be like one of the servants.

Now, most fathers would reprimand their sons for making

such foolish decisions and blowing all that money. But his
father instead welcomed him with open arms, gave him a
ring, and threw a party in his honor. WOW! Honestly, mind-
blowing when you think about what his son did.

I personally love the part when the father sees his son from a
far-off and ran to meet him. That’s a love that covers a
multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). What we learn from the
father is that forgiveness opens the door for reconciliation of
relationships. It is not possible for a relationship to be
reconciled without those involved forgiving each other and
willing to accept each other back into each other’s life.

You can read the story in Luke 15:11-31.

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 Stephen
Stephen was a godly man who preached the gospel
fearlessly. Some who did not want to hear the good news of
Jesus Christ falsely accused him, and he was taken to the
council to give an answer to the charges against him. Those
who were not happy with him dragged him out of the city
and stoned him to death.

Before Stephen died, he looked up to heaven and saw Jesus

standing at the right hand of God. He knelt down and with a
loud voice said, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
When he had said this, he died (Acts 7:60).

While in the midst of being killed, Stephen forgave those who

stoned him to death. He did not hold a grudge against them
because he knew that God’s will was for him to forgive
them. He could have cursed them, but he didn’t. He was
actually concerned for them and prayed that God wouldn’t
hold this action against them. That’s powerful and eye-
opening. We get offended by the smallest things and hold
grudges. And here is Stephen willing to forgive and intercede
while having rocks thrown at him.

Stephen shows us that it is possible to forgive others even

when they are not remorseful for what they have done to
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 us. Remember not all who offend us will bother to ask for
our forgiveness and we cannot wait for them to do so. We
are to forgive others and let God move.

Jesus
Our greatest example of forgiveness comes from Jesus!

Jesus taught us the importance and power of forgiveness

and He too had to forgive those who mistreated him and
those who crucified Him. At the cross, He said, “Father,
forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke
23:34). By saying this, He was choosing not to hold
anything against those who crucified Him. Kind of the same
thing we see in Stephan’s story in the book of Acts.

Now, Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, betrayed Him with a kiss

to those who were to capture and crucify Him (Luke
22:48). This was a close friend of Jesus who ate with Him
daily. He walked with Jesus… He saw miracles and
experienced pure love. Yet, Judas chose 30 pieces of silver
over Jesus. He rejected the Lord!

Judas didn’t repent and ask for forgiveness. He did

experience remorse, but feelings of feeling bad for what you
did is not the same as repentance and forgiveness.
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 What we do know is that Jesus remained pure, blameless,
and sinless… (2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:22, Hebrews
4:15)

This means Jesus didn’t harbor anger or bitterness towards

Judas!

Those close to us can hurt us, and we will have to forgive

them. It usually hurts more when it is those who are close to
us. From Jesus, we learn that we should forgive every time
someone offends us. To keep our hearts soft and not fall
into bitterness.

I have always liked this quote. Not sure who the original
author of it but it speaks a lot of truth on how bitterness
works.

“Bitterness is like drinking

poison and waiting for the
other person to die. ”
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 · · ·

Stories of Forgiveness From

the Bible Conclusion
If you find that you struggle to forgive others when they
offend or hurt you, ask God to help you do so. It’s not
always easy to forgive but God gives us the grace (the
supernatural ability) we need to forgive others. And if the
wound is deep…keep asking daily for God to heal your heart
and to forgive the individual(s). Stay persistent. God will help
you through this. Remember we must walk the journey of
forgiveness daily as our Savior Jesus Christ did.

I sure hope that these stories of forgiveness in the Bible have

encouraged you in your walk with God. These are only 4
stories, but the Bible is filled with stories, parables, psalms,
and proverbs about forgiveness from the Old Testament to
the New Testament.

Here are just a few more for you to check out in the Bible:
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 The Parable of Two Debtors

The Woman Caught Adultry

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

If you would like to leave me a comment you can do so

below. I would love to hear from you and what you are
learning about the Lord.

Melissa Tumino
Melissa is a passionate minister, speaker and an ongoing learner of the
Bible. She has been involved in church and vocational ministry for over
18 years. And is the founder of Think About Such Things. She has the
heart to equip the saints by helping them get into the Word of God and
fall more in love with Jesus. She also enjoys family, cooking, and
reading.

She has spoken in churches in California, Oregon, Texas, and Mexico

and has been featured in Guidepost Magazine and All Recipes
Magazine. Read More…
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 By Melissa Tumino

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abeje
Thursday 6th of April 2023

i get best of best knowelodge from ur teached jesus

blessed uand ur family
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 Ann Thomas
Tuesday 14th of February 2023

I ask God help me to forgive the people who hurt me i did

to be setfree this is is a help thank you

Francine
Wednesday 23rd of March 2022

I loved your article. Thank you. I’m looking for things in

the Bible regarding forgiving myself.

Bro. Kermit Tyrone

Thursday 17th of February 2022

Forgiveness has the ability to free us from the weight of

pain, anger, revenge, and anxiety. I am certain I could
find more but what is important for the maturing believer
of ‘The Way’ is the revelation that God is the provider of
solace and protection. If we are to hold a loving spirit as
the fuel that is used as a beacon to reflect God then we
in fact confirm our trust in Him who is the final judge.
(ie., the Apostle’s creed) This releases us and heals the
mind body and spirit. Their are somatic consequences on
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 harboring these things too. We hear and read about fear
induced high blood pressure, ulcers, depression, and
other ailments that we incur. Love conquers all, it’s
healing properties assists us in our reconciling with the
trespassers. But it also reconciles us with God. We can
return our focus and pursuit of being a reflection of our
loving God even though our trials and tribulations.
Forgiveness gives us a glance in comparing ‘Grace’ from
‘cheap Grace’ (Bonhoeffer)

Chris B Morris
Saturday 30th of October 2021

Absolutely amazing! This is something I have been

struggling with and your article helped in ways you
couldn't imagine. Thank you and God bless.
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Melissa Tumino
Melissa is a passionate minister, speaker and an ongoing learner
of the Bible. She has been involved in church and vocational
ministry for over 18 years. And is the founder of Think About
Such Things. She has the heart to equip the saints by helping
them get into the Word of God and fall more in love with Jesus.
She also enjoys family, cooking, and reading.

She has spoken in churches in California, Oregon, Texas, and

Mexico and has been featured in Guidepost Magazine and All Recipes Magazine.
Read More…

© 2023 Think About Such Things

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