Forgive

C O L O S S I A N S 3 : 1 3

BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND FORGIVING EACH OTHER, WHOEVER HAS A COMPLAINT AGAINST ANYONE: JUST AS THE LORD FORGAVE YOU, SO ALSO SHOULD YOU.

Forgiveness strengthens relationships. These words seem pretty self-explanatory, but sometimes they can be so hard to follow. But, if we learn to humble ourselves before people, our relationships become stronger with our family, friends, and loved ones. If we do not learn to admit that we are wrong, and to quickly forgive that which people have done wrong to us, our relationships won’t survive. Bitterness will harbor inside us, and hatred will grow.

Let us ask the Lord to open our eyes, and not to be blind to our stubbornness and pride. If I am wrong, let me not be ashamed of that, but rather admit that, and ask for forgiveness. If someone has done wrong to us, may we learn to look past it with love; even if they do not ask for forgiveness.

For the love of God to reign in our hearts, we cannot seek to always be justified and always be right. As the church of God, as His Holy priesthood, we must humble ourselves before our brothers and sisters. If we truly desire to be like Christ, we cannot hold back on forgiveness.