The Sweater of Forgiveness

Well, we now have our heart’s closet filled with a whole new wardrobe that represents kindness, humility, gentleness, meekness, and patience! Don’t you agree that these new ‘outfits’ look much more radiant than the uncleanness, evil desires, covetousness, anger, wrath, malice, filthy language, etc… we have recently thrown out?!

Now, it is time to consider a couple of accessory items! How about a lightweight sweater to carry with us wherever we go?  How about a ‘sweater of forgiveness’?

Colossians 3:13 now discusses the importance of maintaining a forgiving attitude. Last week we discussed the need for forbearing, or putting up with one another, as we looked at the ‘Suit of Long-Suffering.' As part of that forbearing attitude, comes the willingness to forgive. The motivation for this forgiveness is ‘simple’ enough, yet, so very difficult at the same time. Verse 13 concludes with the phrase, “...as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” It is a simple, plain, and direct statement. But don’t we start in with the “but, but, buts…”?

I like (I think I like) what Weirsbe says about Colossians 3:13. “It is not enough that the Christian must endure grief and provocation, and refuse to retaliate; he must also forgive the troublemaker.” OUCH!

Please take a moment to consider the following thoughts about true, Christ-like forgiveness.

As mentioned above, we are instructed to fully and completely forgive-as Christ did. That means to fully and completely forgive the person of the entire incident! No …BUTS… at the end of the “I forgive you” speech! 

We are instructed to forgive freely-as Christ did. We are to forgive without expecting anything in return-not even an apology from the other party. Once again, no …BUTS… at the end of our speech.

We are to forgive graciously-as Christ did. We are to forgive with a compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient attitude, as was seen in verse 12.

Although the incident may never be erased from our minds, the event should never be brought up, held against, or used against the other person in any way. Even when the incident ‘pops into’ our mind, it shouldn’t bring negative (remember malice from verse 8?) thoughts about that person. Before you start the “WHAT!?” thoughts, consider the following~~

This is exactly the way Christ forgave us. 

 

Our sins will never be brought up, held against us, or used against us in any way. Christ did not require anything on our part, except that we accept His forgiveness! He continues to love and care for us compassionately and patiently, even when we mess up. 

“…as Christ forgave you, so you also must do”

In addition to this verse in Colossians 3, you may also want to check out Ephesians 4:32, “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.”

My dear Mother-in-law commented after “The Suit of Long-Suffering”, “I don’t know that I can do that, Debbie. But, with God’s grace I can sure try!”  I bet that she, many of you, as well as myself, will be saying the same thing about “The Sweater of Forgiveness”!

BTW: I never said it would be easy!!! 

Debbie