As Paul writes to the Colossians, he wants them to know how thankful he is for their love towards others. Paul knew how important loving others was to the Lord. Before Paul was called by Jesus to preach the gospel, he was a persecutor of the church. He oversaw the murder of many Christians in his day. Just think about what it would have done to his ministry later if he had not come to understand the unconditional love of his Savior. Carrying around guilt, shame, and unforgiveness in our hearts prevents us from being able to love others. But believing in and receiving God’s unconditional love gives us a secure place to build anything from. We are unhindered by our feelings of unworthiness. We don’t have to believe we are incapable of greatness because greater is He who is in us than e who is in the world. Past failures, lack of obedience or poor self-discipline cannot hold us back because we have been freely forgiven and God says whom the Son sets free is free indeed. When we come to understand the mercy and grace God has towards us, we will be able to give that very same mercy and grace to others who are struggling in life.
Jesus teaches us about our attitude towards forgiveness in Luke 7:47 of the Message bible stating “Impressive, isn’t it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal.” (MSG) We cannot extend forgiving love until we have learned how to receive forgiving love. We all struggle with our sins and our past. But today and every day forward we can make up our mind to receive Jesus’ forgiveness and press on. One of the best ways we can show the world of our victory over our past is to do the same thing for others that Jesus did for us. We have to forgive ourselves and others and then forget the past. We have to show love to the unlovely, the ones we don’t feel deserve our love. Jesus said in Matthew 24:12-13 “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved”. (NIV) Their love might grow cold, but ours should not. Do you love freely? Are there any unaccepted or unforgiven people in your life? Don’t let your love grow cold, focus on giving the same kind of love you were given at the cross. It’s a sacrificial love that invites everyone to come and receive it, accepted and forgiven. There are two truths from Gods word that are able to bring us into a new level of love if we will allow them to penetrate our hearts. Those truths are that mercy triumphs over judgement and it is kindness that leads to repentance. If you really want to see others excel in life, be like your Father in Heaven and never fail to show mercy and kindness to those He puts in your path, no matter where they are or what they have done.
For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. ~Colossians 1:13-14 (NIV)
Are there any unaccepted and unforgiven people in your life?
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