Forgiveness

 Colossians 3:13 ESV

 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 


'Bear with me', we say, when we're being a bit slow. The Apostle Paul commands us to bear with one another. We're not to moan behind each others' backs, but we could have legitimate complaints.

Even if we have a genuine complaint against someone, we're to forgive them. If we refuse to forgive, we betray the fact we're not forgiven ourselves. If God has forgiven us, we will forgive others.

Our forgiveness of others doesn't earn God's forgiveness. Our forgiveness of others is evidence that God has forgiven us. He doesn't just forgive us, but gives us the power to forgive.

Just because we have to forgive someone doesn't mean to say we have to trust them. A wife should forgive an unfaithful husband, but that doesn't mean to say she should trust him. Maybe they should even separate in the hopes that he'll repent and be reconciled.

'Gracious God, please forgive us, and empower us to forgive. May we be patient with one another, knowing that God hasn't finished with us yet. In Jesus' name, amen'.


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