Forgive One Another 5

Colossians 3:12-13

Whenever a group of pastors gathers for a meeting the leader will usually ask which one of us would like to open the meeting in prayer. The purpose of this is to remind us that it is a privilege to offer the prayer. It is not a burden. Rather, we are chosen to do the work of God and should feel honored when we have the opportunity to do so.

This passage from Colossians is among my favorites in the Bible. How are we described? What are we to do? What are we reminded of in verse 13?

What a wonderful description for us who are called to be children of God. We are God’s chosen people. We are not a random gathering of folks, but the people God loves and who are called to do His service. We are dearly beloved, loved by God. We are special.

And as beloved children of God we are invited to live out the privilege and honor of being specially chosen by God. We are to fill ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. We are to clothe ourselves in these attributes so that others will know we are children of God, and so that we will know we are children of God.

As children of God we must bear with one another –accept one another, have fellowship with one another, teach one another – and forgive one another. We are brought full circle.

Why are we to forgive one another? We should forgive one another because we have been forgiven by God through Jesus.

Forgiveness should not be viewed as a burden for us. It is not a due which needs to be paid. Instead, we should see it as a privilege, an honor. We have been forgiven and now we have the privilege of sharing God’s goodness with others by forgiving them.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can you do to help yourself look at forgiveness as a privilege and not a burden?