24 Aug September 5 Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS

FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER

Colossians 3:13 “. . . forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Jesus teaches, “Forgive us our debts (sins), as we also have forgiven our debtors (those who sin against us.)” Not only to the Colossians did Paul exhort them to forgive  those who sin against them but also in Ephesians 4:32 he wrote, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Matthew 6:12)  Hearing what Jesus taught, some time later Peter asked, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?  As many as seven times?”  Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.”

“As Christians, we have been reconciled to God by the death of His son, Jesus (Romans 5:10). Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, our relationship with God is restored and we are now given the task to restore others (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). One way in which we help reconcile others to God is by loving them (John 13:34-35). However, in our weakness, we love imperfectly and our relationships need restoring. By God’s grace, healing is possible.” (Cortney Whiting)

Where should you begin the road to forgiving someone?  Jesus taught, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Once you see any sin(s) you have committed against that person and confess them and ask for their forgiveness, then  you are in  a position to be ready to forgive them the sin(s) they have committed against you.

Secondly, on your journey to reconciliation (restoration of a good relationship with someone) pray for the person who has sinned against you.  James says to pray for one another. (James 5:16) Jesus taught that you should pray even for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:28) Jesus modeled such a prayer life as He slowly died on the cross praying for all of His enemies, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

Prayer:  Teach me, O Lord, to forgive those who sin against me.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

“Forgive our sins as we forgive.”  You taught us, Lord, to pray;

But You alone can grant us grace To live the words we say.

How can Your pardon reach and bless The unforgiving heart

That broods on wrongs and will not let Old bitterness depart?

In blazing light Your cross reveals The truth we dimly knew;

What trivial debts are owed to us, How great our debt to You!

Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls And bid resentment cease;

Then, bound to all in bonds of love, Our lives will spread Your peace.

(LSB 843)