We conclude our conversation about forgiveness in Colossians 2:13-14. It's a short text, but it's packed with meaning and value for us as we seek to get a better handle on such a critical aspect of Christianity. We're called to be people who forgive from the heart, and the best way to get a handle on that is to understand the way that God has forgiven us.
Simple Prayer of Forgiveness:
Heavenly Father, in Christ you have forgiven me for all my sin and the hurt it has caused. Because of your forgiveness, and the new life I have in Christ, I forgive [insert name] for [insert offense]. Please help me to release any bitterness, resentment, or antagonism that surfaces in my heart toward them, so they can see Christ in me. Amen.
This message will revisit and continue a series we started and stepped away from months ago called, "How to Make Peace." We had unpacked Matthew 18:15-20, and the four stages Jesus gave us for working through reconciliation with someone who has sinned against us. But there's one critical piece to peacemaking that we still need to unpack together. And that's the issue of forgiveness. So, we'll turn our attention to Matthew 18:21-35 and explore how forgiveness works, and why it's fundamental to being a Christian.