The phrase “as far as the east is from the west” is a powerful image in the Bible. Today, we will see what this means in the context of God’s forgiveness and love for His people.
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What Does The Bible Say About As Far East Is From West
Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
This verse beautifully illustrates the vastness of God’s forgiveness. Just as the east and west never meet, God removes our transgressions from us and separates them infinitely far away. Through His mercy and grace, God completely erases our sins, never to be remembered or held against us again.
This verse is a powerful reminder of God’s incomprehensible love for us. It shows His willingness to forgive and forget, restoring us to a place of purity and righteousness in His sight. As believers, we are called to embrace the reality of this forgiveness and walk in the freedom it brings.
Isaiah 43:25
“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”
In this verse, God declares His authority as the one who blots out our transgressions. It is not by our own efforts or merit, but for His own sake. God chooses to forget our sins, choosing instead to extend mercy and grace to us.
God’s forgiveness is not dependent on our ability to earn it or stay sinless; rather, it is an act of His incomparable love and desire for relationship with His people. We can find solace and assurance in this promise, knowing that God chooses to remember our sins no more and invites us into a reconciled relationship with Him.
Colossians 2:13-14
“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.”
These verses capture the transformative power of God’s forgiveness. Prior to receiving Christ, we were dead in our sins, separated from God’s life-giving presence. But through Jesus, God made us spiritually alive, forgiving us of all our sins.
By canceling the charge of our indebtedness and nailing it to the cross, God demonstrated His complete forgiveness and removed the condemnation that once stood against us. In Christ, we find freedom from guilt and shame, as God’s forgiveness covers our past, present, and future transgressions.
Micah 7:19
“You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”
In this verse, God’s compassion is highlighted as a driving force behind His forgiveness. Despite our shortcomings, God extends his compassion to us, treading our sins underfoot and hurling our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
This imagery emphasizes the thoroughness of God’s forgiveness. Just as objects thrown into the deep sea are swallowed up by its vastness, God completely eradicates our sins. We can find comfort in the fact that God’s forgiveness is not shallow or temporary, but everlasting and all-encompassing.
Psalm 32:1-2
“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.”
In these verses, the psalmist celebrates the blessedness of having their transgressions forgiven and their sins covered by the Lord. This blessedness comes from having our sins not counted against us. It is a state of freedom from guilt and condemnation.
Furthermore, the psalmist emphasizes the importance of living in truth and integrity. When we approach God with a spirit free from deceit, we open ourselves up to experiencing the fullness of His forgiveness and the blessings it brings.
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
In this verse, God extends an invitation to His people, urging them to settle the matter of their sins. Despite the scarlet and crimson appearance of their sins, God promises to cleanse them completely, making them as white as snow and as pure as wool.
God’s forgiveness has the power to transform the deepest stains of sin into absolute purity. He offers us this opportunity to be cleansed and restored, assuring us that no matter the magnitude of our sins, His forgiveness is greater and can make us new.
Ephesians 1:7
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”
These verses highlight the source of our redemption and forgiveness – Jesus Christ. Through His shed blood, we have been redeemed, and our sins have been forgiven. This forgiveness is not based on our own merit but is a result of the immeasurable riches of God’s grace.
As believers, we can rest in the assurance that our forgiveness is secure, not because of anything we have done, but because of what Christ has accomplished on our behalf. It is a reminder of the depth of God’s love and His willingness to extend His grace to us.
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.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of confession in receiving God’s forgiveness. When we confess our sins, acknowledging them before God, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Confession allows us to humbly approach God, acknowledging our need for His forgiveness. In response, God faithfully extends His forgiveness and purifies our hearts, restoring us to a place of righteousness before Him.
Acts 3:19
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
This verse highlights the connection between repentance, forgiveness, and the refreshing presence of the Lord. When we repent and turn to God, genuinely turning away from our sins, He wipes out our sins and grants us times of refreshing in His presence.
Repentance is more than mere remorse; it involves a genuine change of heart and direction. Through repentance, we position ourselves to receive the fullness of God’s forgiveness and experience the renewal and restoration that comes from being in relationship with Him.
Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”
In this exchange between Peter and Jesus, forgiveness is showcased as an essential aspect of the Christian life. Peter’s question about how many times he should forgive someone highlights the struggle and limitations of human forgiveness.
Jesus’ response challenges Peter’s understanding by emphasizing the need for limitless forgiveness. As believers, we are called to imitate Christ’s example by extending grace and forgiveness to others, understanding that God’s forgiveness towards us knows no bounds.
Luke 17:3-4
“So watch yourselves. ‘If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.'”‘
This passage further illustrates the importance of forgiveness in our relationships with others. Jesus instructs His disciples to rebuke those who sin against them and extends a call to forgive even when the offense is repeated multiple times in a day.
Forgiveness is not an option but an essential part of our Christian walk. It requires a heart that is willing to forgive, even when it seems difficult or unfair. By extending forgiveness, we ensure that our relationships are marked by grace, love, and the power of Christ’s redemption.
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
These verses emphasize the reciprocal nature of forgiveness. Just as God forgives us, we are called to extend forgiveness to others. Jesus teaches that when we forgive those who have wronged us, our heavenly Father will also forgive us.
However, the converse is true as well. If we withhold forgiveness from others, we hinder our own forgiveness from God. Forgiveness is not only about the restoration of relationships but also about aligning ourselves with God’s heart and receiving His forgiveness in our own lives.
Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
This beatitude highlights the connection between mercy and receiving mercy. Jesus teaches that those who extend mercy to others will also receive mercy in return.
Forgiveness and mercy go hand in hand. When we choose to forgive, we are demonstrating God’s mercy and grace towards others. In doing so, we position ourselves to receive the overflowing mercy of God in our own lives. It is a reminder that our actions have consequences, and the way we treat others directly impacts how we are treated.
Matthew 5:23-24
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
These verses emphasize the importance of forgiveness in our worship and relationship with God. Jesus instructs His followers that if they remember having a disagreement or offense with someone, they should prioritize reconciliation before offering their gifts at the altar.
Forgiveness is not merely a personal matter; it affects our worship, our relationship with others, and our relationship with God. It reminds us that our vertical reconciliation with God is intricately tied to our horizontal reconciliation with others. We are called to actively pursue forgiveness and reconciliation, ensuring that our hearts are free to worship and commune with God.
Mark 11:25
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Jesus addresses the connection between forgiveness and prayer in this verse. He instructs His disciples that while standing in prayer, if they hold any unforgiveness against someone, they should forgive them in order to receive forgiveness from God.
Prayer is a vital aspect of our relationship with God, and forgiveness plays a significant role in maintaining the intimacy of that relationship. When we harbor unforgiveness, we hinder our own spiritual growth and block the fullness of God’s forgiveness. By choosing forgiveness, we open ourselves up to experience the depth of God’s love and mercy in our lives.
Romans 12:17-19
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
These verses provide guidance for believers in their interactions and conflicts with others. Paul encourages his readers to not retaliate or seek revenge but to instead pursue righteousness and peace with everyone.
Forgiveness is an essential component of this pursuit, as it requires the release of resentments and the choice to let God handle justice. When we forgive others, we are entrusting their actions and consequences to God, allowing Him to be the ultimate judge. In doing so, we free ourselves from the burden of vengeance and create space for reconciliation and healing.
Matthew 6:12
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
These words are part of the Lord’s Prayer, instructing believers to ask for forgiveness and acknowledging the necessity of forgiving others. By praying these words, we are confessing our own need for forgiveness and expressing our willingness to extend forgiveness to those who have wronged us.
In this prayer, forgiveness is viewed as a reciprocal act – as we forgive others, we are positioning ourselves to receive forgiveness from God. It is a reminder that our own forgiveness is intricately connected to our ability to forgive others, emphasizing the importance of extending grace and mercy in our relationships.
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
In this verse, Jesus urges His disciples to refrain from judging and condemning others, instead choosing to forgive. He assures them that if they embrace this attitude of forgiveness, they too will be forgiven.
Judging and condemning others prevents us from experiencing the fullness of God’s forgiveness and grace in our lives. By choosing forgiveness, we release the need for judgment and embrace a posture of love and compassion. In doing so, we not only free others, but we also free ourselves from the burden of animosity and resentment.
James 2:13
“Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
These verses highlight the importance of mercy and forgiveness in our interactions with others. James warns that those who show no mercy will be judged without mercy, emphasizing the necessity of extending grace and compassion.
Forgiveness triumphs over judgment because it reflects the heart of God. When we choose mercy over judgment, we align ourselves with God’s character and invite His mercy into our own lives. It is a call to extend forgiveness to all, recognizing that we too stand in need of God’s abundant mercy and forgiveness.
Galatians 6:1
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”
In this verse, Paul addresses the importance of restoring a fellow believer who has fallen into sin. He encourages the community to approach this process with gentleness and warns them to be mindful of their own vulnerabilities.
Forgiveness plays a significant role in the restoration process. By extending forgiveness and walking alongside those who have stumbled, we create an environment of love, grace, and compassion. We can offer support and guidance, not with judgment or condemnation, but with a desire to see restoration and growth.
Matthew 6:9-15
“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name… Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors… For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.'”
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus outlines the essentiality of forgiveness in our relationship with God. He instructs His disciples to ask for forgiveness as they have forgiven others, highlighting the reciprocal nature of forgiveness.
These verses emphasize the interconnectedness of our forgiveness towards others and God’s forgiveness towards us. By choosing to forgive, we align ourselves with God’s heart and open the floodgates of His mercy and forgiveness in our own lives.