These amazing forgiveness quotes will inspire all of us to forgive quickly — even when it’s difficult. Offering forgiveness is often easier said than done. It’s human nature to seek justice and yearn for revenge when we’ve been wronged, but Jesus calls us to forgive as He has forgiven us:
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:32).”
While a few inspirational quotes about forgiveness are surely not going loosen every grudge you’ve ever held toward an enemy overnight, our hope is that they may open a door for God to begin to work in your heart. For through His guiding hand, we can do all things.
Here are forgiveness quotes to inspire you to extend the same grace to others that has been showered upon you by your Heavenly Father:
1.) “Forgiveness is a process. A choice you have to make over and over, every day, until you’re free of hurt.”
While it’s common to assume that choosing to forgive sets the other person free, the captive who is truly freed is you. Harboring bitterness and resentment only hardens your own heart, not theirs. This thought is reminiscent of one of the brilliant quotes on forgiveness by Marianne Williamson: “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison yourself and waiting for the other person to die.”
2.) “Today I decided to forgive you. Not because you apologized, but because I deserve peace.”
A common misconception is that forgiveness must be deserved before it is given or that the person must apologize first, but that is completely counter to Biblical teaching. As Romans 5:8 reminds us, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” If the only perfect, sinless man to ever walk the Earth was willing to shed his innocent blood for the salvation of sinners, who are we to not forgive our brothers and sisters?
Additionally, many quotes about forgiveness, like this one, serve as a reminder that that forgiving fosters peace in your own heart, whether the other person deserved it or not.
3.) “When someone does something wrong, don’t forget all the things they did right.”
When someone harms or offends us in any way, we’re often quick to make a blanket judgment that that one “wrong” action is indicative of their whole character. If someone lies to you, they are a liar. If someone steals from you, they are a thief. Period.
But how would you feel if the same assumption was made about you? Have you ever told a white lie to make yourself look better? Have you ever stolen a good idea from somebody and subtly tried to pass it off as your own? And if so, have you also done many other good things in your life that you would like to have taken into consideration before the harsh label of “liar” or “thief” is plastered on your forehead?
This is one of those forgiveness quotes that reminds us to do just that.
4.) “There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.”
As Corinthians 16:14 commands, we are to “do everything in love.”
And since forgiveness was the greatest act of love bestowed upon us by our Savior on the cross, forgiving others is an act of love that we are called to give to our neighbors.
Let us never forget that to forgive is the most precious gift we can give to others, and moreover, ourselves.
