Noelle McDermott
Today's Scripture: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Colossians 3:12-13
Theme: Forgiving readily and completely is a sign of a maturing Christ follower, loving as Jesus loves.
BEING NAIVE
I thought I had finally “mastered” forgiveness. I had forgiven people who had hurt me deeply. I no longer felt resentment for previous hurts. I knew all the parables and memorized all the verses. Surely, I told myself, I had the whole forgiveness thing down at this point.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
The very next time I was wronged by someone, everything flooded back. I felt offended and betrayed, and although I knew all the steps I should follow, I was much too stubborn to immediately start the process of forgiveness. I’ve come to realize that forgiveness will probably never be easy or quick. Thankfully, God’s Word gives us much-needed reminders about forgiveness, especially when we don’t know where to start.
BEING INTENTIONAL
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul lists five attributes we should practice: compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Compassion encourages us to be concerned for the person who has wronged us, and kindness leads us to treat them thoughtfully. It’s easy to write off the other person, but we must continue to see them the way Jesus does. Humility and meekness will direct the focus away from ourselves. Dwelling on our hurts is a common temptation; however, as Christ followers, we also have needed to ask for forgiveness ourselves. Lastly, patience tempers our response. We can so easily want to retaliate but slowing down and “bearing with one another” better reflects Jesus’ own model. We have all the tools, but how do we really put them into practice?
BEING DELIBERATE
Paul’s first two words — “Put on” — reveal something crucial about forgiveness: it must be a choice. In the same way we choose what clothing we put on in the morning, we must choose to forgive and to practice the five qualities Paul listed. Forgiveness is not based on feelings, for we will rarely ever feel like forgiving someone. We will rarely ever want to assume humility or exercise patience. The good news is that even if we don’t feel like forgiving someone, that doesn’t mean we can’t forgive them. By making the choice to forgive, we can begin the process of forgiveness. The Lord will meet us there and help us live out His design for forgiveness.
Make It Personal: Has someone offended you or said something hurtful to you recently? Have you made a conscious decision to forgive them? Ask the Lord to show you one of the five attributes we talked about that you can practice in your interactions with them. Take the first step; Jesus will meet you there and the Spirit will empower your decision.
Pray: Lord, I so often want to hold on to my pride and ignore Your promptings to forgive others. It feels nearly impossible sometimes. But You have commanded me to love others the way You love them and You have also promised me Your strength. Help me to rely on You as I choose to forgive those who have hurt me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.
Read: Colossians 3:8-17