Forgive!

For Friday, April 19, 2024:

Colossians 3:13 NLT: “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

We all say the Lord’s Prayer from time to time. But rather than just reciting words we have memorized, I would encourage us all to examine those words more closely. Take it apart line by line.

The Lord’s Prayer, from Matthew 6, asks God to: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” So as much as we want God to forgive our sins, we too need to forgive others. Paul is reinforcing God’s command in this letter.

Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t get mad; I get even!” They think it sounds cool. They think it makes them sound tough. It does neither.

In your mind, flip the script. What if the Lord said to you, “I’m gonna get even!” None of us would stand a chance! God does not judge us vindictively. Thankfully he’s a God of love, mercy and forgiveness. Without God’s grace we wouldn’t stand a chance!

So forgive others as God forgives you. That’s what Jesus did! He even forgave those who put him on a cross!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship