Forgiveness by Anand from Asia

September 22, 2025

Forgiveness

Introduction: Forgiveness is everyone’s need in this world, forgiveness has two dimensions, vertical and horizontal. I want to tell you WHY forgiveness is everyone’s need and what is the meaning of vertical and horizontal forgiveness?

  1. Why is forgiveness everyone’s need in the world? Romans 3:23, Psalm 51:4-5 according to these verses everyone is a sinner, and according to Psalm 51:4-5 every sin is against God, and because we are sinners by birth we are separated from the glory/presence of God. Therefore, forgiveness is everyone’s need in this world, and because every sin is against God, only he can forgive our sins. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” God wants us to confess our sins to Him and according to His character we have assurance that He will forgive us, He is righteous and just and according to His love for all sinners He died on the cross John 3:16 – this is vertical forgiveness.
  2. Horizontal forgiveness Ephesians 4:32 – When we see the picture of the church in the New Testament, it tells us about fellowship, community, and this should be different from the fellowship and community of this world. In the New Testament, we find almost 100 times a statement of ‘One Another’ and in Ephesians 4:32 Paul tells the church here “…forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” It means that if your vertical relationship is correct then your horizontal relationship would also be correct. In the ‘great commandment’ and even in the ‘Ten commandments’ also we see this vertical and horizontal relationship. If someone has experienced God’s forgiveness in his/her life he will show that, in relationship with others. It means forgiveness is not our natural ability, unless and until you will not experience God’s forgiveness in your life you cannot forgive others.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your forgiveness in my life, help me to forgive others who have sinned against me, so that your name may be glorified. Amen