Even a grudge we have held can find peace.
Forgiven to Forgive
Paul asks God's chosen ones to clothe themselves with compassion and to forgive just as Christ forgave them
This short devotional is about forgiveness, from Colossians 3:15.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body
Colossians 3:15
The scene
We are in Colossae, a small city in Asia Minor, in the valley of the Lycus River.
Many in Colossae had not yet seen Paul’s face. Imprisoned for Christ, he writes to them, who learned the gospel from Epaphras. And he speaks of clothing: taking off the old self and putting on compassion and patience.
Forgiveness is part of this clothing: if anyone has a complaint against someone else, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you”. And above all, put on love.
Forgiving as Christ forgave is pretending there was never a complaint.
The complaint exists, and Paul names it. Forgiving is letting God's peace rule the heart, not pretending. Receive this peace.
In our day
The complaint comes back whole: the harsh word in the family group chat, the promise someone did not keep. And we keep holding the account.
Paul does not ask us to pretend it did not hurt. He points to the forgiveness we received from Jesus and says: so also you. Forgiving is handing the account over to God and letting His peace decide inside.
Gratitude. Paul speaks of singing to the Lord with grace in our hearts.
The joy of the forgiven turns into song and gratitude. Rejoice in the Lord and let grace fill your heart.
Relief. Paul speaks of singing to the Lord with grace in our hearts.
The joy of the forgiven turns into song and gratitude. Rejoice in the Lord and let grace fill your heart.
Peace. Paul speaks of singing to the Lord with grace in our hearts.
The joy of the forgiven turns into song and gratitude. Rejoice in the Lord and let grace fill your heart.
Hurt feelings. Paul reminds us that the new self is being renewed in the image of its Creator.
Hurt does not have to be denied to be handed over. God keeps renewing those He forgave. Rest in His work.
Weariness. Paul reminds us that the new self is being renewed in the image of its Creator.
Hurt does not have to be denied to be handed over. God keeps renewing those He forgave. Rest in His work.
Brokenness. Paul reminds us that the new self is being renewed in the image of its Creator.
Hurt does not have to be denied to be handed over. God keeps renewing those He forgave. Rest in His work.
Today, when an old complaint returns, I will pray and hand that account over to Jesus, who forgave me first.
Christ forgave us and gives us His peace.
How far we forgive is not measured by the other person's wrong. It is measured by the forgiveness Christ has already offered you.
Cordeiro Devocional
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