Forgive Much?

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13

Maybe one of the hardest things to do is absorb someone else’s hurtful actions and forgive. There is nothing natural about that. Everything in us wants to lash back, correct, and even take revenge, but for those of us who have been called by God and are set apart, we have access to a forgiveness that is beyond our natural inclinations. 

Another translation tells us to make allowance for others’ faults. This is hard to do when you always make it about you. If you can step back for a moment and the focus off yourself you might begin to bring into focus God’s greater plan, and you can see that the person is acting out because they are broken inside. 

To recognize their brokenness is one thing; to forgive them for hurting you is another. Real forgiveness comes when you truly realize how much God has forgiven you. Anyone can say, “God has forgiven me,” but some understand it more than others. To fully grasp His forgiveness, you must have a clear understanding of the gravity of your own sin. For those who believe they are doing alright or “pretty good” think very little about God’s forgiveness. But those who are very aware of the depth of their sinfulness, to the point that God’s forgiveness seems near impossible, His mercy becomes their life line. 

To what extent do you believe God has forgiven you? To find the answer you only need to look at how quickly you forgive others.