Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. –1 Peter 4:8 NIV
It is important for us all to get along with each other. Help each other with encouraging words, not dragging others down or finding fault with them. This isn’t easy to do in our humanness. People hurt us, reject us, and are just plain unkind. Yet, we are asked to forgive. We ask how can we forgive when the pain is so real. It is not the person we should dislike but the sin the person possesses.God sent Jesus to the Cross for everyone. We cannot pick and choose whom to forgive. We all need forgiveness. When we don’t forgive, it causes us more damage from within. Looking to Jesus as our example, He showed real forgiveness to all of us as He hung on the Cross.He was crucified for our sins, yet He still forgave those who hurt Him. Luke 23:34 (NIV) says, “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’” Jesus has the power to help us forgive—not with our strength but with His. When we forgive, we are set free!
Bear with each other and forgive one another….
Forgive as the Lord forgave you. –Colossians 3:13 NIV Holy Spirit, please empower me to have the ability to forgive even when I don’t want to.