Forgive One Another

 

Forgive One Another

Colossians 3:13 says "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."

 I heard a word that rebukes me years ago and It says like this “FORGIVENESS IS A CHOICE, NOT AN EMOTION”. 

We are all imperfect people. And imperfect people need a lot of forgiveness. On an ongoing basis. More often than we’d like to admit, we need forgiveness from God and from others.  Many people think forgiveness is an emotion—something you either feel or you don’t feel. But that’s not what is at the heart of forgiveness. At its heart, forgiveness is an act of the will, a choice.

It is hard to work when you have a lot of luggage in your heart. Your disposition, focus, as well as your dealings with other people are affected. Do you want to be a better person instead of a bitter one?

Colossians 3:13 says "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."

Do you have a coworker, client, family member, or friend whom you need to forgive?

Are you too affected by the slander or backbiting of other people that when you are in front of you is kind to you, but the story is being made into you when you turn your back. Remember this, you always have a choice. You can choose to be angry or forgive. The wiser choice is to forgive.

Forgiveness prevents bitterness from setting in.
The whole world has moved on from the incident that made you angry while you are still not getting over. You are the loser if you are bitter. You find it hard to fall asleep when you do not forgive. Don't let your heart be hardened by bitterness. So forgive your offender.

Forgiveness clears your focus.

When you do not forgive, your attention is focused only on the thing that offends you or the person who hurt you. Everything that happens in your life including your work is affected by anger. The energy you should give to your work can be used to take care of hurts and un-forgiveness. Put back your focus on more productive things in your life. Start by choosing to forgive.

Forgiveness heals a broken heart and broken relationships.

There is a saying time heals.
But in reality, it is the one who calms the heart and calms the anger. No matter how long an event has hurt you if you do not choose to forgive, notice that every time you tell it, it seems like it just happened yesterday.  It is not the time to heal your broken heart. Your healing begins when you forgive.

Someone said, "The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. And the first to forget is the happiest."

The ability to forgive can be considered strong. Shine in the midst of hurts and pains. Choose to forgive.

Let us keep in mind that we are not to judge and we will not be judged. Do not condemn, and we will not be condemned. Forgive, and we will be forgiven – Luke 6:37

The ability to forgive others is a direct result of our own salvation. Simply put, we are to forgive just as the Lord has forgiven us. It is part of living as a Christian.

As Christians, we are to be committed to the love that the Holy Scripture teaches us through the ministry of reconciliation, because “if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

Praise God for His forgiveness extended to us when we do fail. Praise Him also, for the means He has put into place to help overcome sin through the process of seeking forgiveness.

Let us forgive one another.  Let us encourage one another.  Let us do that with the love and kindness and compassion that God has shown us through Jesus.

He forgives us. We forgive others.

Life is better with Jesus! Live loved! Live free!

Lord thank you that your love does not take into account a wrong suffered. Lord help us not to hold grudges, but to choose to forgive, even when it’s difficult.

Lord thank you that your love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, thank you that your love never fails. Lord, give us the grace to forgive people who have sinned against us, as you forgave us.

Help us to love as you love. Fill us with your Spirit so that we can choose what is best. We are weak Lord, but we know also, that even when we are weak, you are strong within us. Thank you that it’s not all up to us. Thank you that you equip us to face each day with the power of your love, your forgiveness, and your grace.

 In your strength, help me to live for you. Thank you, Jesus! Amen.