Besides learning how not to take offence, there is one other thing we must do if we are going to avoid bitterness taking root in our souls and thus fall into a trap set by the enemy of our soul. That “other thing” is forgiveness.
There will be times when we do succumb to the enemy’s temptation to take offense. There will be times when we must deal with actual offenses, not just ones we perceive as such when we misjudge another’s motives.
When those times come, we must learn how to forgive, and learning to forgive just might be one of the most difficult tasks required of a Christian. Yet the Scriptures make it clear that forgiveness is one extremely important part of Christian life.
“Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.” [Colossians 3:12:13 HCSB]
God forgave us when we were His enemies. “Just as the LORD has forgiven [us], so [we] must also forgive.”
With use of that little word “just,” Paul attached our forgiving to the LORD’s forgiving. Our forgiving is to be in like manner to the LORD’s.
Is it easy? No, it is not. It is not easy because the enemy of our soul constantly seeks to take us back to the occasion of the offense so that we become angry and bitter all over again. We have to learn a vital point about forgiveness … tomorrow.
