You might of heard that it was said that love makes the world go around. Well, I say that forgiveness is the center of our everyday life as Christians. Forgiveness it what makes a Christians life go around.
"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against each other. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13
Forgiveness is at the center of all godly and healthy relationships. If you have been married for any length of time, you know the reality of what I am saying. If you can't forgive, it is for tough to remain married. Forgiveness makes all relationships work. Notice the Bible says to forgive whatever grievances. The idea of bearing with each other conveys the picture of standing firm to take a hit. Take the hit and forgive.
Forgiveness is where our relationship with God (from our perspective) begins. Realizing that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, produces thankfulness, humility and forgiveness for others. Problems occur when we are not thankful, humble or forgiving. I really believe that humility is the attitude that allows forgiveness to flow through ones life.
Remembering that Christ forgave us reminds us to forgive others. Forgetting that we need forgiveness makes us unforgiving. Then we center on someone else's "sins" and problems begin to build. Be very careful with the need to see someone else's repentance. Especially when it is in regards to a sin against you. I say this because when someone demands to see evidence they forget that they are a finite sinful being. (By-the-way, something like unfaithfulness in marriage is not an exception, but, you can't just say, "Forgive me, now get over it." So, don't think forgiveness is a license to sin.) The danger is when you don't forgive, you don't allow someone a way back to a godly relationship with you. My experience is that when you don't forgive and demand to see evidence you tend to get mighty picky and then it is just a power trip of supposed spiritual superiority. In other words; you tend to get self-righteous. People who don't forgive usually make excuses for their sins and can rationalize anything. That is not humble.
At the heart of it all is forgiveness. In 1 Timothy 1:15 Paul tells Timothy, "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst." The apostle was reminding his young leader that remembering that you need forgiveness is where it all begins.
Father, thank you for forgiveness. Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ for dying for my sins. Help me to forgive as you forgave me. Praise be to you in us today!
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