When I came to the LORD nearly 50 years ago, I had no idea what to expect. I was raised by religious parents in a liturgical church setting. I knew there was a God, that He was Father, Son, Holy Spirit. I had a vague idea about salvation, that Christ Jesus had come to save us. I thought however, that while He made the “down payment,” I was responsible for the installments to keep myself saved. I did not understand forgiveness, instead I lived in fear—because as I was well aware, I was a sinner.
As an adult, pregnant with my second child, I heard the Father call my name and I surrendered it all to Him. I gave my life to His Son. I invited the Holy Spirit to fill me with everything good the Father had for me. I never looked back, even though there were times I struggled (and still do).
It took a while though for me to fully understand God’s love and God’s forgiveness. That happened when we started going to a little church in Loomis, California, and sat under the ministry of Pastor Jim. Everything changed for me there. I heard God’s love proclaimed in a way I never had before. I began to understand God’s forgiveness granted in God’s grace. (Thank you Pastor Jim)
So, each time I come to Colossians 3:13, I remember all that. “Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” [NIV]
I remember that I am a sinner. I remember I am saved solely by God’s grace granted in Christ Jesus. I remember that God gave me that grace because of His great love for me. I remember that Christ Jesus was willing to come and purchase my forgiveness on the cross through His suffering, death, and resurrection. I remember.
And as I remember that I received forgiveness not because of anything in me or anything I did … I must now grant the same to others. I must “forgive as the LORD forgave me.”
Sounds easy, doesn’t it. It is not. And may even become more difficult as society’s view of the church changes. But easy or not, we must forgive because, beloved, we have been forgiven.
