Short accounts

How many times have we heard someone say, 'I forgive them, but I won't ever forget'? Probably a few. But that mindset isn't the best. Paul wrote, 'Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others' (Colossians 3:13 NLT). When someone wrongs us, no matter what it is, God asks us to forgive them. Unforgiveness makes bitter, angry people. But when we forgive, we're letting that weight lift off our shoulders. It's like saying, 'Yes, it happened and it hurts, but it doesn't define me.'

Just like Paul said in Colossians, we need to remember that people are not perfect and we are not perfect: sometimes, people hurt each other. Forgiving someone isn't easy. It may take time. But if we keep bringing up and holding onto what someone has done to us, we're not forgiving like God forgave us: 'And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins' (Hebrews 8:12 NLT). God forgives us and doesn't remember our sin (not even a little bit). That's practically unthinkable, and shows the lengths to which God goes to forgive us.

We will all have memories of being wronged. And our pain is real and valid. But, when we choose to keep short accounts, then we can move on and be free to love them as God does.



So what now? Is there someone you haven't fully forgiven? Give your pain to Jesus to heal. Then pray good things for that person.





— SCRIPTURE —

'The Lord forgave you...you must forgive others.' Colossians 3:13 NLT
— SOULFOOD —

Gal 1-3, Matt 13:24-35, Ps 101, Pro 13:20-23