Power to Forgive:
Forgiving Each Other
Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:12-17
Key Verse: Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Our printed key verse for today starts with the word “bear.” The Bible is instructing us to “bear with one another in God’s family.” The Greek word for “bear” is “anochomai” and carries the meaning of: to hold up, to sustain, to endure! As we live with our brothers and sisters in the Lord, within the church, we will need to endure every so often! There will be people who, though they love God, are challenged in expressing love to others. You may receive some unkind and/or unChristlike behaviors from others in the church. The apostle is challenging you to bear with them; endure it for Christ’s sake.
Paul is telling us that grievances will happen; we should be prepared for them. We should be ready to deal with them in a godly way: forgiving! It makes it a little more bearable if we remember that our Lord did, and continually does do, this for us! We must continually go to God and seek His mercy and forgiveness. Be generous with others as the Father has been generous with you! Bear with others, as they struggle to relate in Christ like ways. Forgive quickly and help keep the unity within the church.
In Colossians 3:15 Paul reminds us that we are members of one body. We have our calling and that calling is to live in peace! Do you have anyone that you need to go make peace with? Do it for Christ’s sake!
Father, let your love saturate my heart, preparing me to forgive and encourage my church family as we journey together. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.