Throughout Scripture, we read about God’s merciful forgiveness, which He offers to everyone who turns to Him. Indeed, His forgiveness is without limits and available to anyone who turns away from their sins and turns to Him instead. This forgiveness demands a response. You see, if we have been greatly forgiven by God, and we have, then it stands to reason that we will forgive others, too.
In Colossians 3, the apostle Paul encouraged Christ followers to live according to the new lives with Christ by forgiving. In this passage of Scripture, he wrote, "Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the realities of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God" (verses 1-3). Because of what Christ has done for us, we are to live differently. We are to live for Christ and His kingdom rather than this world. Living this way means letting go of our sinful nature, Paul explained, which was full of immorality, greed, idolatry, anger, and more (verses 5-9). Instead of living according to our sinful nature, we are to live differently. Specifically, Paul wrote, "You must cloth yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you" (verses 12-13). Our lives in Christ are meant to be marked by forgiveness. Why are we to live lives marked by forgiveness? Paul answered this question as he continued writing, “Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (verse 13). Because we have been forgiven greatly, we are charged to also forgive. God has shown compassion and forgiveness to us, and we must show others His forgiveness and compassion by extending the same forgiveness that He has shown us.
My friend, you have been greatly forgiven. God has shown you great compassion and mercy by forgiving you for all of your sins and the ways you broke His heart when you turned to Him. Will you extend that same forgiveness to the people around you, regardless of the circumstance? May we point others around us straight to the love of Christ by the way we forgive.
Over the next few moments, reflect on how God has forgiven you. Make a list of the different times you turned to God and He offered forgiveness to you. When you are finished making your list, thank God for His extravagant forgiveness. Let His forgiveness for you motivate you to forgive the people around you, too.
1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 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.
16 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. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
