Biblical Building Block #16 Forgive One Another (Colossians 3:13) – PART 1

Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Biblical Building Blocks for Strengthening Relationships.”

Biblical Building Block #16 Forgive One Another (Colossians 3:13) – PART 1

Colossians 3:13, Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

The sin of unforgiveness hurts relationships and fellowships more than just about any other sin. This sin of unforgiveness hurts the one who commits it more than the one who it is committed against. During his revival campaigns across this country, D. L. Moody would often say, “the sin of unforgiveness is the sin that hinders revival more than anything else in the churches of America.” He said when entering into a meeting or into a town, usually the first thing that that had to be dealt with was the sin of unforgiveness in the hearts of Christian people towards each another and others. Christians holding grudges and bitterness in their hearts, and not forgiving people around them is hindering the power of God and the presence of God more than any one thing.

In the 1800’s in England, C.H. Spurgeon said concerning this subject, I might get up and preach about being a good husband and only the husbands need it. I might get up and preach about gossiping and only a few people need it. But when I get up and preach about forgiveness and forgiving, everybody needs it. He said on that Sunday he’s on target with everybody.

The sin of unforgiveness is a robber and a thief of the Christians victory in life. It robs the church of its power of God. It robs the Christian of our power and effectiveness for Christ. It robs us of our love toward one another. It robs us of the joy of the Lord, the peace of God. It robs us of our health and our happiness. There is a famous poem that is written, “To live above with those we love; well that would be glory. To live below with those we know; well that’s another story.”

Out text has a command and an example. The command is to forgive one another. The example is “as Christ forgave you.” The next time someone offends you, remember how you sinned against God, yet, He has forgiven you. The word forgiving means to pardon or forgive unconditionally. Forgiveness means to pardon or to overlook an offense, and to treat the offender as not guilty. Unforgiveness is a sin and if not put in check will trigger the rise of other sins such as revenge, hate, and bitterness.

Forgiving one another is a prerequisite for our receiving forgiveness of our sins. Matthew 6:14-15, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” One man’s trespass against us is no comparison to our innumerable sins against God. Yet, God has forgiven us of them all. We should claim and live God’s promise, “forgive, and ye shall be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).

When we forgive as the Bible teaches, we graciously let go of our quarrels. We must daily and continually forgive those who offend or hurt us. The Bible gives you and I several reasons why we ought to forgive people. We are to replicate God’s forgiveness. We are to forgive as God forgave us for Christ’s sake (Ephesians 4:32b). How does God forgive us for Christ’s sake? I want to give you three reasons why we ought to forgive people:

1. God Forgives Freely.
You didn’t buy it, earn it, merit it. It was all God’s mercy and Gods mercy was free to you. Forgiveness is kindness, favor from God that we didn’t deserve. We forgive others, not because they deserve it, but for Jesus’ sake. Anyone who refuses to forgive doesn't understand the forgiveness that is freely given to us of God. Our forgiveness is free, but it is not cheap because it cost God His only Son. Not only did Jesus die on the cross so we can have our sins forgiven, but so we can forgive those who sin against us.

Prayer, Father God, please reveal those I need to forgive. Shine the bright light of Your truth into the dark corners of my heart, where I hide unforgiveness. I choose today to forgive. Because it’s something You commanded me, I know it’s possible. And because it’s something that pleases You, I beg You to help me. Please help me to forgive deeply, from my heart, as You have forgiven me. Wherever possible, and as much as it depends on me, please heal my relationships. In the name of Jesus, who paid the highest price for my forgiveness, amen.

Thank you for reading PART 1 of Biblical Building Block #16 of this series. Please visit this website tomorrow for PART 2 of Biblical Building Block #16 of this series.

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