FORGIVE EACH OTHER’S COMPLAINTS           Colossians 3:12-17

forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (v13)

In the book, No Future Without Forgiveness, Desmond Tufu tells the powerful story of his role in South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Commission sought to bring succour to a people who have been ravaged by so much violence. The belief is that for the country to move forward, the people must forgive one another. Desmond Tufu also asks the questions: Does forgiveness mean we don’t care about justice? Does forgiveness mean there is no consequences for evil? “No. what it means is that we leave justice and vengeance in God’s hand… who alone can judge rightly. Forgiveness is inevitable as long as we are on this earth, relating with other people. Sometimes, believers go about with the erroneous belief that within the church family, there should be no offence, we create a perfect picture of how we want people to behave and when they fail to live to our expectations, we get hurt. Because the church family consists of people from various backgrounds, different personalities and divers experiences, frictions may be inevitable. However, to prevent these frictions from degeneration to disaffection, Apostle Paul enjoins believers to put on bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another” (vv12:13)  as Christ forgave us. Also, we should put on love which binds these virtues together in perfect unity (v14) If we allow Christ’s peace in our lives, and give ourselves to God’s Word, forgiveness will be walkover for us.

PRAYER LINE: Father, I remember today that I am Your agent on earth, help me to radiate Your light of peace to others.

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Only a peaceful person can give and promote peace (NBC)