Learn to Forgive (1)

KEY TEXT: Colossians 3:13 “Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” 

BACKGROUND AND THOUGHTS ON THE TEXT 

 You can’t have a long-lasting relationship like marriage without the possibility of hurts and pain. To succeed in marriage and in other important relationships, you must learn to forgive.  Many Believers know it is God’s will to forgive but sometimes, they misunderstand what forgiveness truly is. Note: Forgiveness is not exactly repressed anger. There are times people get hurt but just end up swallowing it. They act as if all is well while livid deep inside. That is not forgiveness!  

Repressed anger is very dangerous because it ends up condensed and highly corrosive. There are people going about with bottled-up hurts on the premise that they have forgiven, but the day it is released, their unleashment hurts beyond imagination. To yourself be true; and to your friends and partner; be real. Forgiveness is not just reconciliation. Reconciliation happens on the surface but forgiveness happens in the heart. If you must forgive, your heart needs to be released.  

APPLICATION: On the journey of life, hurts and pain will occur in marriage, in friendships and with family.  God commands us to forgive whether the offender comes back in repentance or not. Biblical forgiveness is releasing the right to judge or seek vengeance against the one who hurt you. You are expected as a Believer to forgive even before you decide on reconciliation. Forgiveness is scriptural. It is the doorway to maintaining a quality life of peace and a clean conscience.  

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, because You loved me and died for me, I make up my mind to love and forgive others.  

ACTION POINT: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you restore broken relationships through acts of forgiveness. 

DAILY BIBLE READING: 1 Chronicles 26-29, Psalm 127