Theme:   All I Want for Christmas is to Make Things OK

This eDevotional was written by a volunteer from Timberlake Church. 

Read:  Colossians 3:1-14

Think:  My daughter came home from college yesterday, pleased with the end of the academic quarter except for one thing.  In a History class, the professor gave her a grade below what she believed she deserved on her final paper.  Confident that she had really done well, she expressed frustration at the high standard the professor set for the students.

I sort of felt the same way listening to Pastor Ben teach about forgiveness on Sunday.  Like you, I have been forgiven by people in my life, and I have forgiven people who have done me wrong.  But did you catch the standard of forgiveness Pastor Ben quoted from Colossians 3:13?  “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”  That’s right, we’re supposed to forgive as completely, lovingly and permanently as God has forgiven us. 

It seems impossible, doesn’t it?  I struggle to forgive at all.  Sometimes, it’s like I don’t really want to forgive, but I act like I’ve forgiven just to maintain a kind of peace.  Even when my heart truly wants to forgive, I can’t seem to rebuild the broken relationship that needs the forgiveness and reconciliation.  How can I possibly forgive as God forgave me?

The answer comes from reading more of Colossians 3.  The chapter begins with the words, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ…”  Paul doesn’t suggest that we will be able to stop our wrong behaviors and start good habits (like forgiveness) on our own.  It is the transforming power of Christ’s resurrection that can change us if we only allow it.  God set an impossible standard of forgiveness.  Then, He made it possible for each of us to meet it.

Do:  Name the offense and offender that are impossible for you to forgive on your own.  Do you believe that God is more powerful than your hurt, and can enable you to forgive?

Pray:  Heavenly Father, remind me again of the forgiveness You’ve given me.  On my own, I know that I could never forgive anyone like You’ve forgiven me.  Change me, God.  Fill me with Your love and forgiveness, that I may forgive others.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.