paradigm...

Colossians 3:13

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Has anyone needed your forgiveness lately? Yesterday? A few hours ago? A few minutes ago? Yep, our lives are just filled with people who don’t always make us feel the best.

Did you know God benefited from forgiving us? As much as it was in our best interests to be forgiven, God knew it was good for him too. After all, He created us to be loved by Him in relationship, and that works best when the other person knows it!

I’m also sure the things He has forgiven us are much greater than that which we forgive others for. And He did it with no strings attached - He didn’t make a deal with us that He’d forgive us only if we started to be good to Him.

In a paradigm of right and wrong, relationship can only ever break down because people are not perfect, or true relationship is never built because grievance is inevitable.

In a paradigm of love, forgiveness restores and redeems our relationships with each other.

Prayer for the week: Father, thank you for how you created us for relationship with you. Let your Spirit be a constant provider and teacher in my life. May my relationships with others be the same, full of life and love.