“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
“Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.”
~ Colossians 3:13, The Message
Have you ever made a big mistake, been forgiven by an affected person, and then felt overwhelming relief that they didn’t hold that mistake against you? I have. And it’s a life-saver of health and happiness at times.
Forgiveness is a grace of God that doesn’t hold onto our errors, but allows for us to improve and do better. Most people are very happy to receive it!
But we must be equally as eager to extend it to others when they err.
So, be quick to forgive. God forgives us! God never holds mistakes against us. God just keeps on loving us until we get it right. And we can do the same to our family, friends and neighbors.
Thank you for the reminder of the importance of forgiveness. I feel that I only began to really progress spiritually (or to progress spiritually most rapidly) as I understood the significance and importance of true forgiveness–put into practice. Forgiveness is not just a vital spiritual practice, it is a divine grace enabling me to let go of hurtful memories, guilt, remorse, dread and other useless baggage which, if held onto and dragged along through my days, weighs me down in my flight spiritward. Again, I appreciate your reminder. Thank you.