Col 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Have you ever made an assumption about someone and then really put your foot in your mouth? *Puts hand in the air and waves it around!*
I have! Boy have I ever. I admit I have gotten caught up in gossip and complete untruths a few times in my life. They’ve caused some rifts that were down right embarrassing for me later.
Sometimes we react out of fear and emotion. When emotions run high, lots of unkind things can come out of it. Our thinking can become muddled and we may temporarily forget who we are as believers.
There have been moments that I have totally spouted off and later thought, what on earth were you thinking?!! Actually, I still have an outstanding debt to someone right now that I need to take care of and reconcile and it’s going to take me humbling myself to apologize and ask forgiveness. It’s going to be uncomfortable and I am going to squirm but God doesn’t care if we have to squirm and feel uncomfortable.
His word is really clear about forgiveness and reconciliation. He doesn’t tell us to reconcile and ask forgiveness if we want to. He says DO IT. (Matt 5:23-24 , Col 3:13 )
We have been given the ultimate gift of our salvation and forgiveness of a kind that we absolutely do not deserve. To withhold that same forgiveness to others is a sin. It is an outright sin.
If you find yourself with an outstanding debt with someone, I ask you to prayerfully ask for forgiveness. Now forgiveness doesn’t mean that you forget what has happened. If you’ve been caused hurt and pain from someone, you are wise to remember the past but you are still required to forgive.
You do not have to have the same relationship as before or even at all. Forgiveness doesn’t mean you must bring this person back into your life but you must fulfill your biblical duty and reconcile, even if the other person doesn’t want to. You let God deal with their heart.
After you take this leap of faith, and it is a leap of faith often times to do this, I want you to not speak of the grievance again. If you find yourself stewing on it, please remind yourself to focus on what ever is lovely, pure, good, and of God. Phil 4:8
*Please do not misread my message. If you have been abused or are being abused, you do not need to physically go to this person and forgive them. You may forgive someone without ever having to say it to them and counseling would be very beneficial to anyone suffering from the trauma of abuse. If you are in an unsafe situation, please seek help. National Domestic Violence Hotline 1−800−799−SAFE (7233)
Matthew 5:23-24
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
