Answers

Q:

Where in the Bible is the verse that says it is human to make mistakes but it's divine to forgive them? What does it mean? I know I need to forgive people who hurt me but I don't know how.


A:

You’re probably thinking of the old saying that it is human to err but it is divine to forgive. It means simply that when we make mistakes or do wrong we are acting like human beings—but when we forgive others, then we are acting like God, who is always willing to forgive us.

Although this saying isn’t found in the Bible, it does summarize an important truth from the Bible–or actually two important truths. The first is a truth about ourselves: We are sinners, and we always tend to do wrong. As the Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

The other truth is a truth about God: God loves us and stands ready to forgive us when we truly turn to Him in repentance and faith. How do we know this? We know it because God sent His Son into the world to make our forgiveness possible. By His death on the cross, Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins–totally and completely. The Bible says that in Christ “we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14).

I invite you to give your life to Jesus Christ today. By a simple prayer of faith, confess your sins to Him and ask Him to forgive you, and He will. Then ask Him to help you forgive others even as He has forgiven you–freely and fully.