Our scripture this morning is Colossians 3:12-17.
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Paul voices a wonderful truth, that “God chose you to be the holy people He loves”. In order to return this love, we must believe the Good News and “remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others”. While it isn’t always easy, it is the example Jesus gave us in order to follow Him.
Peter asks Jesus about how often we are to forgive someone who wrongs us and He answers “not seven times, but seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). Notice that Jesus doesn’t say “after they apologize and make it up to you” or anything about their behavior. Our response as Christians is not based on how others treat us but how Jesus taught us to treat them.
The important part of Christ’s message is repeated by Paul in this passage: “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony”. Jesus showed love to everyone, including those who didn’t listen, and even those who brought about His Crucifixion. We must be willing to forgive the most unrepentant among us because Christ has forgiven us.
Loving Lord, it is hard to forgive as You do, but You call us to let go of the earthly acts committed against us and focus on the heavenly promise we have been given. Bless us to go in Your name, sharing love and forgiveness with everyone. Amen.