“FORGIVING EACH OTHER!”

Colossians 3:12-17                          (ESV)

“12 Put on then, as GOD’S CHOSEN ONES, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, KINDNESS, HUMILITY, MEEKNESS, and PATIENCE,

13 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.

14 And above all these PUT ON LOVE, which BINDS EVERYTHING TOGETHER IN PERFECT HARMONY.

15 And let the peace of CHRIST rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

16 Let the word of CHRIST dwell in you richly, TEACHING and ADMONISHING one another IN ALL WISDOM, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to GOD.

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the LORD JESUS, giving thanks to GOD the FATHER through HIM.”

Recently being requested by my pastor to facilitate a discussion on the last section of a book entitled “true Spirituality: Becoming a Romans 12 Christian”, I was reading through the final chapters of the book, and seeing the FIRST PAGE was on “”FORGIVING EACH OTHER”, I thought that it was a sure “set up”!  Why else would I be “assigned” to rehash some of the most trying times in my life, times that ultimately caused me to GROW more in my Spiritual walk that almost anything else.  

From my experiences, “FORGIVING EACH OTHER” is not something that you can just say you are doing and then the hurt and pain disappears like it never happened.  Only extremely mature Believers are able to SEE the hurt and damage caused to a relationship is from the enemy, even when it comes from a fellow Believer!  JESUS said in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”.  The enemy has no interest in promoting it peace and harmony, even between Believers.   Destroying the relationship between Believers is a PRIME TARGET for him.  

When you SEE what is causing dissension amongst people, Believers and others, “TEACHING and ADMONISHING one another IN ALL WISDOM” and LOVE should be our response rather than is generated.  Even if someone has wronged you, if you expose their behavior in a hurtful, accusation filled tirade l you will probably receive a response that is not what either of you REALLY wants to hear?  Instead, you should TEACH and ADMONISH in all “KINDNESS, HUMILITY, MEEKNESS, and PATIENCE” as CHRIST has FORGIVEN you!  

Please keep in mind that “FORGIVING EACH OTHER” is something that can take years to achieve, usually taking longer when relationship has more investment.  For the “peace of CHRIST to rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body” usually means you will have to experience the PAIN of Spiritually growing, which is quite uncomfortable, from personal experience.  The PAIN of learning that ALL OF US have imperfections that will cause others to experience the same PAIN!  

In Genesis 50:20 Joseph says to his brothers, who had thrown him in a well, then pulled him up only to sell him into slavery, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but GOD meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Therefore, “FORGIVING EACH OTHER” caused Joseph much hardship, but he understood that GOD had to allow him to experience his trials for HIS good!  We should not believe we are immune to suffering for HIS GLORY!  We can CHOOSE to “FORGIVE EACH OTHER”, but until we have the bitterness and anger removed by GOD, the process will not be completed!!!!