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Daily Devotion — Colossians 3:12–13 — Freedom in Forgiveness
Because Jesus first forgave us, we should be willing to forgive others. But it doesn’t always work out that way. Sometimes we hold on to bitterness and grudges. How can we find freedom in forgiveness by following Jesus’ ultimate example?
Holding a Grudge
Have you ever held a grudge against someone who was mean to you or offended you in some way? I have. Because someone hurt me, I carried around a grudge that ended up hurting me as well. It weighed down my spirit, stole my joy, and kept me tied to the past because it was a weapon the enemy used against me. I didn’t want to hold a grudge. I knew it was not the right thing to do. But I struggled with the idea that if I forgave the other person, I would have to associate with them. Therefore, in my immature thinking, holding a grudge meant I had a reason not to be around them. But through God’s word, I have learned that forgiveness does not mean that I condone the other person’s behavior, or I am condoning subsequent behavior. It means I am freeing myself from the pain and grief of the offense: understanding it is not my fault and understanding that the other person is human and capable of mistakes. The other person is also one of God’s creations. God will forgive them…
