Colossians 3:12-17
(Use the link below to
read the verses.)
After
seeing one of these bumper stickers, have you ever wanted to call the 1-800
number to let them know just how bad the driver of vehicle # 50 really is?
But
then you cut off the guy in front of you so what can you say?
“Forgive us
our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
When
we trespass against someone, we feel like they should forgive us. But it’s often
a different story when we’re the one that is offended. Consider the parable
that Jesus told about the unmerciful servant.
The
first servant begged his master to forgive him his large indebtedness; which he
did. But then the same servant immediately refused to forgive a fellow servant
the small amount he was owed. Here’s what led up to this parable.
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times
shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but
seventy-seven times. Matthew
18 NIV
This
is not a popular lesson. How many times should we forgive our boss or
our employee? How many times should we forgive our spouse or parent or
child? How many times should we forgive that difficult person who
continually rubs you the wrong way? Paul wrote these words which addresses these
questions.
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must
clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and
patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and
forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must
forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love,
which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3 NLT
“1-800 How’s my driving”, makes a clever
bumper sticker. The idea behind it is to provide accountability; ultimately, to
make the person behind the wheel a better driver. As followers of Christ, God
has called us to become more like Him; in a sense, to be a better driver of our
lives.
God’s
character is to love and to forgive. But sometimes it’s hard for us to do that.
However, all we have to do is call out to God, and He will answer. We don’t
need a bumper sticker or an 800 number for that.
(If
God has spoken to you through this blog, please feel free to share it with
others.)
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