Scripture
Living the New Life
1Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4And when Christ, who is your[1] life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
5So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.[2] 7You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile,[3] circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized,[4] slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
12Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
16Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Translation notes (4)
- 3:4 Some manuscripts read our.
- 3:6 Some manuscripts read is coming on all who disobey him.
- 3:11a Greek a Greek.
- 3:11b Greek Barbarian, Scythian.
13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Jesus told a story in Matthew 18 about a man who was forgiven of the equivalent of millions of dollars in debt. After begging and pleading with the king to whom he was indebted to be patient with him to repay his debt, his master remarkably forgave his debt. One would expect this man to overflow with gratitude for the forgiveness he had been shown. But instead, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars in debt and demanded that he repay him. The servant pleaded with him to give him time to repay the debt, but he refused and had him placed in prison. Soon the king found out what this unforgiving servant had done and was furious. After all, he had shown this man remarkable forgiveness. Couldn't he do the same? Jesus told this story to illustrate that we all have been significantly forgiven by God. In return, we are called to show that same forgiveness.
Matthew 18 is one of many passages throughout Scripture that teach us about forgiveness. Paul wrote in Colossians 3, "Make allowance for each other's faults and forgive anyone who offends you" (verse 13). This verse is all-inclusive. Notice that Paul calls us to forgive "anyone" who offends us. There is no person who we are allowed not to forgive. Next, Paul continued teaching by explaining why we must forgive anyone who hurts us. He wrote, "Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others" (verse 13). We have been shown extraordinary forgiveness. Think about how much you have been forgiven from sin, shame, guilt, hurt, and so much more. God held nothing back when it came to showing you forgiveness. We must extend that same kindness to others in light of His extravagant forgiveness.
Are you struggling to forgive? Maybe someone has hurt you deeply, and it seems impossible to extend forgiveness. It's true that people hurt us and let us down. We have also let people down. We have let God down. The greater truth is that God has extended great forgiveness to us and calls us to forgive. Let's be people who are ready and willing to forgive.
Moving toward action
Who do you need to forgive today? What would it look like to extend that forgiveness? Forgiveness does not mean condoning hurtful or harmful behavior. It does, however, mean refusing to be filled with anger and resentment. Take one step today toward forgiveness, remembering that you are simply showing a small token of the forgiveness God has shown you.
Going Deeper
Colossians 3:1-17 (NLT)
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