Colossians 3:13

Scripture: kjv Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Observations: I love this slow paced study, gives me a little time to plug some of these words into the Strongs to see what the Lord is speaking to us. These definitions from STRONGS CONCORDANCE

 Forbearing:

1) to hold up

2) to hold one's self erect and firm

3) to sustain, to bear, to endure

Forgiving:

1) to do something pleasant or agreeable (to one), to do a favour to, gratify

a) to show one's self gracious, kind, benevolent

b) to grant forgiveness, to pardon

c) to give graciously, give freely, bestow

1) to forgive

2) graciously to restore one to another

3) to preserve for one a person in peril

Wow...forgiveness is packed with meaning here isn't it? Not just a simple ok Ill let you slide this time but it includes grace, restoration, complete pardon, protection and benevolence. To agree adn be pleasing. Is that how I forgive? Um no. Sounds alot like how Jesus Christ forgives. He doesn't just give us a pass. He determines to restore and give too doesn't He? Even as Christ forgave thats how we are to forgive. How did Christ forgive? Notice the past tense? Forgave. Hes already forgiven. Forgave. He is the reason for the long packed with meaning definition of Forgiveness. He forgives extravagantly. He abundantly pardons. He forgives when we dont deserve it. Over and over again. He never holds a grudge or brings up past sins, when He forgives He means it. His forgiveness includes restoration and pardon.

 

The word forgive.......includes a give in it. See that? For*give*. We are to give something to the offender. Grace, restoration, gifts, help.

Application: I love this reminder to suffer long, put up with and then ultimately forgive after we forbeared. Doesn't a forbearance, suffering long and putting up with usually then lead to someone needing to be forgiven? Think about it. The ones who stretch us and make us extend grace also tend to be the very ones who need forgiveness, and not just typical worldly conditional forgiveness but a Biblical, spiritual loving forgiveness that restores. Even as Christ forgave us so we are to forgive. This is a command. No option here. He forgave so should we.
Pray:
God let this beautiful deep truth sink deep into my heart. Thank you for forgiving me and restoring me, help me to extend that kind of grace to those who need it.