Christ sets us free to forgive!

"Forgive as the Lord forgave you."  Colossians 3:13

Forgiveness, is really important in everyone’s life. We as humans, make mistakes but it is really important for us to either ask for forgiveness or to forgive others {when we commit a mistake} – against whom we have held a grudge for a long time. Forgiveness make life better.  It is always difficult to forgive – but easy to hurt. Speaking from my personal experience, it was an enormous task for me to ask forgiveness from one of my cousins, when Jesus asked me to ask for forgiveness – I myself found infinite reasons to run away from the situation, but when God gave me the courage to ask for forgiveness to my cousin. I asked for forgiveness, it was a wondrous surprise that he actually told that he had forgotten it long ago & had already forgiven me. I was relieved from the agony, pain & hurt. Forgiveness & Love {The binding Factor} can restore almost any relationship.

Alyson Kieda one of the writers at Our Daily Bread, wrote a wonderful devotion some days back, titled – I am Sorry!

And here it starts,

In 2005, Collins falsified a report that resulted in McGee being thrown in prison for four years, and McGee vowed to find Collins when he got out and “hurt him.” McGee was eventually exonerated, but not before he lost everything. Meanwhile, Collins’s many falsified reports were uncovered, he lost his job, and he too spent time behind bars. But both men came to faith in Christ while in prison.

In 2015, the two discovered they were working together in the same faith-based company. Collins recalls, “I [told McGee], ‘Honestly, I have no explanation, all I can do is say I’m sorry.’” It was “pretty much what I needed to hear,” said McGee, who graciously forgave him. The men were able to reconcile because both had experienced the incomparable love and forgiveness of God, who empowers us to “forgive as the Lord forgave [us]” (Colossians 3:13).  

Now the two are great friends. “We have this joint mission . . . of letting the world know that if you owe an apology to somebody, put your pride down and go apologize,” said Collins. “And if you’re holding something against somebody, let go of the bitterness because it’s like drinking poison and hoping it’s hurting them.”

God calls believers to live in peace and unity. If we have “a grievance against someone,” we can bring it to Him. He will help us to reconcile (vv. 13–15; Philippians 4:6–7).

Dear Father, thank You for forgiving us when we come to You in sorrow over our sins. Help us to receive Your forgiveness and to extend it to others.

Insight:

Have you held a grudge against anyone? Will you take the first step to restore the relationship? Are you willing to experience the peace which comes after forgiving? Are you willing to forgive?