Biblical Beacons for Those Seeking to Forgive

“Let it go! Let it go..!...” Okay, that’s about as far into the lyrics of that song as I can “go”. Though I have been a Disney fan all of my life, for whatever reason, the movie Frozen never appealed to me enough to watch it. I certainly had no desire to listen to the soundtrack. Unfortunately, as a member of the human race and the song’s undeniable hook and firm grasp on the pop culture psyche, there was no escaping hearing it…over…and over…and over.

While the film and the song lyrics seem harmless enough on the surface (although I know some have criticized what they see to be a political agenda), the fault I find is that the lyrics imply that we can do it alone, going so far as to suggest that we take “[e]verything that’s broke” and leave it “to the breeze”.

That’s a nice idea, but unfortunately winds change directions and not actively dealing with “it” (whatever “it” is) means that, from time to time, you are then bound to encounter the same hurt, strife, or sorrow again.

Unless, that is, we do something pro-active – like forgive.

Here are five verses that act as Biblical Beacons on our journey to forgiveness:


Psalm 103:12 (KJV)
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

We are human. We are weak. We are fallible. God knows this. He understands this. He forgives this…ultimately, in the person of Christ Jesus.



Isaiah 43:25
I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

No less than the Creator of the Universe, the Author of Life, the Almighty…God Himself…is is willing to forgive us of our sin in its totality. He forgives our failings, He makes them like they never even existed. That’s what blotting out means. If our Heavenly Father is willing to exhibit such love and bestow such grace on us, do we not owe that much to our brothers and sisters whom He likewise loves?


Matthew 6:15
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

There is no clearer call to action than this verse in Matthew wherein Christ charges us with the responsibility to forgive. As God as forgiven us, so He asks that we do likewise. This is not a quid pro quo action. This forgiveness is a reflection of the love we have for one another in the name of Christ. It is in Him alone that we are forgiven.


John 15:12
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

How much does He love us? So much so that He sent His only begotten son to die for us…in forgiveness.


2 Corinthians 2: 5-11
But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Paul beseeches his brothers and sisters in Christ to reflect Christ’s love. His plea for forgiveness on behalf of those who might afflict or oppress lest they feel overwhelmed by sorrow. This is a powerful reminder of what we as Christians are called to do – love one another. He punctuates his request with the reminder that should we not, the Enemy is there ready to pounce – not on the offender, but on the offended. Such a stark contrast reinforces the importance of forgiveness in God’s eyes.


On our own, we would probably never be able to fully “let it go”, but thanks to God’s grace and Christ’s model, we have both the motivation and the inspiration to actually “let it go”…albeit it probably not in song.