Daily Devotional

-June 10, 2021-

Good morning, happy Thursday,

-Bearing With And Forgiving One Another Is Obligatory-

“Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”

(Colossians 3:13).

Much is written in the NT about the New Man or New Nature. The moment we get saved we have a new nature. The Holy Spirit indwells us and enables us to live the life of Christ. Colossians 3:12-17 describes this life. While we do have the new nature, we still also have the old nature. The two are in constant conflict.

The way to achieve a victorious life is to obey the Lord, surrender fully to Him, and yield to His will. In order to get along with others in the church we must humble ourselves, give up our rights, and live for others. None of us are perfect, which makes it a real challenge at times. Paul tells us we must bear with one another and forgive each other.

Bearing with one another – To bear with one another is the character trait of forbearance, meaning to put up with one another. We all have sins, weaknesses, and quirks. We all make mistakes and say the wrong things at the wrong times in the wrong ways. Case in point with the disciples; they often discussed who was the greatest. The Lord Jesus was patient with them and put up with their flaws. Peter often spoke and said the wrong things. If the Lord bears with me, I should also bear with others.

Forgiving one another – God has forgiven us of all our sins. Sin is completely paid for. But when it comes to others, we find it much harder to forgive each other. We get angry, feel wronged, want our own way. When someone wrongs us, we complain against them and we seek to get back at them. We even hold grudges. The challenge for us is to forgive as Christ has forgiven us. Paul does not say we should forgive but we must forgive.

Jesus said, “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against one anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Mark 11:25-26). When we confess our sins to God, He forgives us, forgets it, and restores the broken fellowship. This same thing should happen when others wrong us.

Let us remember to bear with one another patiently and in love. If the Lord puts up with me, I can put up with others. Forgiving others is not an option but an obligation. It is the only way to maintain healthy relationships with one another. Bearing and forgiving is not easy, but it possible with the Lord’s help and is so needed.

Have a blessed day getting along with our brothers and sisters in Christ, bearing with them and forgiving them. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean