FORGIVENESS

This blog is dedicated to Forgiveness.  We have all been here and maybe for some at the moment, they could be going through it.  This is one of the hardest things to do it seems.  It is so hard for us to let go of people, and actually forgive.  We  have "our terms" that we go by to choose whether we should forgive someone or not.  We sometimes need people to apologize first, then that gives us the "go ahead" to forgive them.  Lets see what  Jesus says about forgiveness.  Colossians 2:13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you^[a] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, ¹⁴ having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
   Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

I am going to focus on Colossians 3:13, we are commanded to forgive WHATEVER grievances you may have against one another.  Did you just see what was said?  It doesn't say "some, most, etc" it clearly says "WHATEVER" this means any and everything!!! Nothing is too big that can't be forgiven.  So lets move on: It says to forgive as the Lord forgave you.  So let's paint a picture: God is the ultimate authority, ruler, judge.  He is the one that will judge ever single human being that has ever lived on this earth and that will ever live on this earth.  He gave us his son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but inherit eternal life.  So if we have Jesus as our Lord and Savior then we inherit his riches and glory, eternal life.  Now remember Christ died for us while we WERE STILL SINNERS.  He did way  before we ever acknowledged him or wanted him in our lives.  So since the Lord who is the ultimate judge can forgive us for WHATEVER we do and have done in our lives, what right do we have to hold "power" over someone to say we do or do not forgive them?  Why are we playing judge? Why are we playing ruler?  We should be so humble because the Lord forgave us freely, so we should just be so anxious to do the same for others.  Why do you ask?  Becuase you are so appreciative of what the Lord did for you, that you do the same for others, and that way they can see the living Christ that is in you.  Do we get hurt? sure.   Do we feel pain? sure.  Do unfair things happen? sure.  But the scripture says WHATEVER grievances you may have.  So this means whatever someone has done for you, no matter the number of times they do wrong to you, you are commanded to forgive, and you do this not for yourself, but because you are told to do so, because God forgave you!!!
   So please, if you are struggling with forgiveness cling to Colossians 3:13.  When you are in pain and conflicted with forgiveness keep reciting this scripture over and over and ask God to give you the strength to do this, because this isn't something our flesh is comfortable with.  You aren't doing anyone a favor, you are doing it because God is number one in your life, and your number one is telling you to do so, so what do good servants do? They follow in obedience and are happy to do so.  So what is your excuse now????  Forgive because the Lord forgave you!!!!!