Sermons on forgiveness bring up some of the most famous passages in the Bible, passages which many people have difficulty fully accepting. Anyone who has been told in their life to "turn the other cheek" probably had at least a momentary reaction of anger at the person who offered that advice. After all, the Old Testament God was willing to take an "eye for an eye," and most of us when wronged have an instinctive desire for equal (if not greater) retribution.

Scriptures Suitable for Sermons on Forgiveness

Both Matthew 5 and Luke 6, however, relay the incident in which Christ tells someone that if they are struck upon one cheek, they should turn the other also. This may not be the same thing as forgiveness, but the issues are connected. If we forgive, we cannot exact retribution. If we offer the other cheek, it reminds us to be humble, and not to seek revenge; in the best of circumstances it encourages us to think about why this person may have wronged us, and understanding will, ideally, facilitate the process of forgiveness.

Sermons on forgiveness may also incorporate scripture from Matthew 18. The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant begins with verse 21, wherein Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who wrongs him. Jesus responds with a story of a master who forgives the debts of a servant, but then this same servant will not forgive the debts of a fellow servant. Upon finding out, the master turns him over to jailers to be tortured. Jesus concludes that this is how God will treat those who are unforgiving of their fellow man.

Some Christian faiths would not take a literal interpretation of the scripture, not believing that God would turn anyone over to be tortured. Others believe in a hell where a soul may suffer eternal torment, and would interpret a scripture such as Matthew 18:35 literally. Ultimately, there is no doubt that the scripture encourages us to understand, empathize, and forgive; hence sermons on forgiveness ask us to work harder at one of the most difficult aspects of relating to the world and others.