Forgiveness Brings Freedom

Scripture:
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” — Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

Reflective Question:
Is there someone you need to forgive today?

Forgiveness is one of the hardest commands in Scripture. I’m sure there have been times in your own life where you’ve struggled to turn the other cheek, too. When we’ve been wronged, everything in us wants to hold on to bitterness, anger and frustration. We want to make the other person pay for what they’ve done. However, unforgiveness becomes like a prison if it’s left to run its course, and we are the ones who will be locked inside, not the ones who have offended us.

Jesus doesn’t call us to forgive because the other person deserves it; if that were the case, the world would be a better place already! Christ calls us to forgive because He first forgave us. When we release others from their wrongdoings, we are not saying that what they did was acceptable. We are choosing to trust that God is the just and faithful Judge, and we free our own hearts from the bondage of unforgiveness in the process.

Who do you need to forgive today? Is there a person who has broken your heart? A friend who has become an ‘enemy’? Find it within your heart to forgive them with the love of God. Not because they earned it, but because Christ forgave you when you didn’t deserve it either.

Prayer:
“Lord, I confess that forgiveness is hard. But I don’t want to be held captive by bitterness. Help me to release those who have hurt me, just as You have released me from my sins. Teach me to forgive as I have been forgiven. In Jesus’ name.”

Amen.