Read: Colossians 3:12-14
There was a song many years ago sung by Neil Sadaka called: “Breaking up is hard to do.” Now I suspect that if breaking up is hard to do then forgiving someone who causes an offence against us is even harder to do. I’ve had people say to me: “I cannot forgive …” And they remain adamant in their attitudes. They also remain embittered toward that person.
Some things are hard to come to terms with, but how hard was it for Jesus to come to terms with our sins - taking them upon His shoulders in death on the cross? He even asked the Father if it was possible for our sins to be forgiven in some other way. He sweated drops of blood in the garden of Gethsemane over it. Nevertheless, He also prayed: “Yet not my will, but yours be done (Luke 22:42)”.
I know some brothers who hadn’t spoken to each other for over 30 years because they came to grief over an issue that divided them. You probably know someone like that. Perhaps you are someone like that.
Let me ask you one question: How is Jesus honoured in that kind of relationship?
A lack of forgiveness causes our hearts to be hardened. Our relationship with Jesus is put on hold, at best, and put to death in the ultimate. In not forgiving grievances that others commit against us we are rejecting the love God has for us.
In talking about the kind of lives we should live as those who belong to God, Paul says: “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13)” Is there someone you need to forgive?
In forgiving one another you are letting the peace of Christ rule in your heart. It cannot be gained without that forgiveness. Your prayer-life will be affected as well. Jesus said: “(Matthew 6:14-15) For if you forgive men their sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
How difficult is that to do? It is not easy, but if we take our relationship with Jesus earnestly then we can ask the Lord to give us the ability to forgive, and to do it in His strength. The Lord’s objective for us as His children is to live together in unity because in this we demonstrate how we are God’s children—followers of Jesus. Forgiving one another means that we are living what God has made us to be— “God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)”
Our love for each other will be sincere and driven by the love of God rather than our sinful desires. Such love will bind us together in Christ Jesus our Lord. Let the grace and peace of God reign in your heart today and forever more.
Prayer:
Using today’s passage and the reading notes spend time in prayer.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
· Pray for the rebuilding of God’s Kingdom among the people of Toowoomba and surrounding districts – that people will be reconciled with the Lord our God and each other.
· Pray for the cell groups that meet together so that each one might be encouraged and brought into a deeper and greater relationship with the Lord. Ask the Lord how you might encourage another person today in their walk with God.
· Ask the Lord to search your heart and see if there is any ungodliness lying within. Pray that He will help you to walk by faith in all of your relationships to the glory of Christ Jesus.
1. What happens when you forgive someone?
2. Why would Jesus tell us to love one another by forgiving one another?
3. How has God shown His love in forgiveness?
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