“Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

Colossians 3:13

What characteristic marks relationships that last? Based on the verse above, forgiveness is an essential component of a healthy relationship. Why then is it that we, as human beings, are so eager and willing to receive forgiveness, but are often so unwilling to give forgiveness to someone else? 

Paul reminds us of the truth Jesus addressed in Matthew 6: 14-15

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,  but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

In Matthew 18: 23-35 Jesus tells the parable of the servant who owed an impossible amount of money to the king.  In his compassion, the king forgave the debt and the man left his presence only to show no compassion to someone else. 

The servant didn’t get it.  He thought he could be the beneficiary of grace, but he had no response likewise to others.

Forgiving is often difficult for us, but it is an essential action for the follower of Christ as Paul wrote to the Colossians encouraging us to be active in our pursuit.

Think about the times you have offended another. It is apparent we all want to be forgiven when we wrong another, but how willing are we to forgive the one who wronged us, betrayed us, and told lies about us?

Forgiveness is a choice we must make.