The Cross of Christ - Pt. 7

 

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; gas the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called nin one body. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:12-15 ESV).

 

There are some hurts in life that are hard to get over. Many of us carry grudges, anger, and bitterness toward others for some offense committed against us. It could be as minor as someone calling us a name or as major as a spouse who walks out on us. It is always destructive.

 

The Apostle Paul gives us the secret to being able to forgive and put down our grudges. It is always found at the Cross of Christ. He urges us to forgive as we’ve been forgiven. He wants us to see others’ offenses in light of the cross. The cross reminds us that the debt of our sin has been paid. God doesn’t hold our sins against us. He doesn’t make us pay, and he wants us to forgive and to free others just as we have been freed because of Christ’s finished work.

 

God’s grace puts things in perspective. At the cross we remember that our debt against God was far greater than others’ sins against us. We’ve been forgiven, and we need to forgive. This forgives not only sets others free from their debt towards us, but it frees our mind and spirit to experience the love and grace of God.

 

Forgiveness is not easy. Some­times, it takes a long time. It also doesn’t discount sin. Forgiveness is costly. Sin cost Jesus his life, and forgiveness will cost us our right to revenge. But it is so freeing.

 

Ask God to help you forgive those who’ve sinned against you.