Examples of the forgiven in the Bible
Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:21-22). Jesus meant that we ought to forgive one another countlessly. It means every time.
Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him and sold him to Egypt as a slave. Although Joseph was doing well, he was later falsely accused by his master’s wife and thrown into prison. Through it all, the Lord was with Joseph, and God brought him out from the prison to the palace to be in charge of Egypt. God restored Joseph for all he had gone through.
When his brothers travelled from Canaan to buy grains during the famine, they did not recognise Joseph. In a high position with power and authority, at his mercy, Joseph forgave his brothers instead of punishing them for the evil done to him. He was not bitter or resentful towards them. Instead, he embraced them, showed kindness, brought the whole family to Egypt and provided for them. The family was reconciled. (Genesis 37-50)
Jesus taught about God’s love and forgiveness for sinners in the parable of the prodigal son: The father forgave his son who squandered his riches. The son eventually lost everything and came to his senses to return home to be his father’s servant.
When the father who had been longing and waiting for his son to return, saw him from a distance, he ran and embraced his son, and threw a big feast for him to celebrate his return. This is how loving and forgiving our Father in heaven is towards us. (Luke 5:11-32)
Ultimately, we receive God’s forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross (John 3:16)