Scripture Reading : Col 3:13. Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Reflections: Paul exhorts the Colossians to be forbearing towards one another and in that process end up always forgiving each other. The Greek word translated ‘forbearing’ is ‘anechomai” which means to “tolerate,” or “suffer without resentment. It indicates having patience towards someone who offends you till the provocation is past. In living with others, it is inevitable that their actions at one point or the other will irritate you. However the Spirit of God, as long as you will allow Him, will fill you with grace that enables you to make the required allowance (tolerance) for their faults and failures , as well as the differences in their personalities and temperaments that you have problems with. It is the allowances we are enabled to allocate for the faults and failures of others that moves us to easily forgive, forget and keep up with the bond of unity and love. Forbearing is of God! No relationship can exist without it. Keep up with it!

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me make allowances for the faults and failures of others so I can always forgive them.

Confession: I am enabled by the Spirit to make allowances for the faults and failures of others. I always forgive and easily so!