Forgiveness

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)

Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you. – (Colossians 3:13, ERV)

Put up with one another. Forgive. Pardon any offenses against one another, as the Lord has pardoned you, because you should act in kind. – (Colossians 3:13, VOICE)

When we are wronged, we must forgive so that the burden of a grudge does not bound up our hearts. Forgiveness does not approve of misdeeds, but rather it sets us free from the bond of unnecessary angst and anger. To forgive is to release the power that a person’s choices had on us, and allows us to move on in freedom. If someone repeatedly sins against us, we do not need to stay and continue being set up for harm. Forgiveness does not mean absence of boundaries. Sometimes, forgiveness is from a distance and has to be repeated over and over again. God is good, and He is faithful to help us forgive, even when we feel as if an offense is unforgiveable. If Jesus, who had no sin, could forgive the ones who hung Him on the cross, so too can we choose to forgive those who offend, upset, or do something against us. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us to walk in forgiveness and grace so that we forgive as we have been forgiven.

To choose to forgive,

is a willful choice;

purposely set free,

through heart, mind, and voice.

It’s intentional,

the choice to let go;

releasing anger,

so love may be sown.

For as we forgive,

it’s our heart set free;

no more the burden,

so true peace may be.

With God’s grace go forth,

and love lavishly;

let go and let God,

let Him take the lead.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to forgive as we have been forgiven. Thank You that as we do, we are set free from the weight of unforgiveness. Thank You that forgiveness releases us from burdens we are not meant to bear. Forgive us for holding grudges against others. Lead us to let go and forgive all that has been against us, for You forgave far more than we have ever endured. Show us how to love and walk in forgiveness as You intended. May many come into a lasting relationship with You as they discover the power and freedom found in being forgiven by You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to show us again and again how to forgive in all things so that we may walk in the freedom of Your goodness and grace. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. – Matthew 6:14