13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Let God's forgiveness toward you affect your forgiveness toward others. The Lord forgave us all our sins. That is hard to understand. Having put on Christ is putting on forgiveness for our sin and the willingness to forgive others their sins against us.
It is common that families hurt one another, sometimes intentionally. It is common that while at work or school or community, people will offend you and do something wrong toward you. It is also true that some of the deepest hurts come from within the church body. People still lie, gossip, provide power plays to get their way in prideful and hurtful manners. It is hard to not hold resentments when those you expect to act different in fact do not.
Peter had a hard time grasping that. He asked the Lord, "How many times should I forgive someone- 7 times?" "No 7 X 70", was Jesus’ response. (Matthew 18:22) That question was asked before the cross. Peter thought back to the time, when he denied the Lord. Three times he said he didn't know Jesus, but the joy of having another chance, the release of guilt, shame, and pride, made him realize that he will always be a debtor to God and therefore he should forgive others.
We are able to bear others up and put up with others who do us wrong even if they say things about us that are unkind. Even if they seek to do us harm, remember God forgave you and for the sake of the unity in the body of Christ, forgiveness is the step of the child of God. I am so glad God doesn't treat me the way I sometimes treat others.
Matt 18:15-35 gives our instruction that if you are or have been offended, you who are spiritual are go to the other and talk to them about it. It will never get resolved any other way.
Some psychologists will tell us there is a direct proportion to being forgiven and forgiving. The biggest reason many people are unwilling to forgive is that they are harboring things in their lives that God has not forgiven that they are unwilling to face Him with asking for forgiveness for their faults.
Humility is focusing on the works of God which puts us and others in proper perspective. All of us are created of God. We are not to have low esteem, but a servant-like attitude. Romans 12:3 "For by the grace giving me I say to every one of you, Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." Your attitude toward others is to be with humility. That is a quality that is essential for forgiveness. We give ourselves to the Lord to do the healing He wants to do in our relationship to others.
Application: “Is there something in me that needs forgiveness? Are there others that I need to forgive?” Read Matt 18:15-35
Prayer: Lord, give me a forgiving spirit and be the center in my relationship with others.
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