March 22 - Love, Forgiveness and Gratitude

Love, Forgiveness and Gratitude

By Kerri Ford Jones

Scripture: Colossians 3

Key Verse: Colossians 3:12-15
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And 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.

In Colossians 3:12-15, Paul gives us the simplest words with the most potentially complex actions; to both forgive and to love. To be more like Christ, God calls us, his chosen, holy people whom he loves, to first be more loving by showing “tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”  It sounds so poetic, so inspiring and so easy.  And on surface level it is. At least if we don’t incorporate the second half, to forgive. To “make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you.”  

When we add the conflict of relationships, the criticism of others, the faults and misunderstandings of those around us, and we are then called to love them anyway—it’s against our sinful nature, at least for most people. Have you ever looked for justification in the scriptures?   My own sinful nature has led me on a hunt to find scriptures to support my irritation, my anger, and or my hurt, but bottom line it’s simple: Love and Forgive.  

Paul doesn’t exactly designate a “How to Love & Forgive in 3 Easy Steps”.  He cautions us with “Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”  He circles back around to, “Above all, clothe yourselves in love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Love is the beginning of the “How To...”  When our sinful nature is denied reacting, but instead focuses on a loving response, it’s the first step in our own personal journey.  Love and keep loving, and love all the way through until you reach Forgiveness.

Pieta by Michelangelo in St. Peters Basilica in Rome

It's in this process, that Paul tells us about peace.  “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.”  He reminds us that we as God’s chosen people, are “members of one body, called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”  This beautiful peace comes through love, forgiveness, and gratitude.  

What I am still learning in my faith-walk is no matter how many times I veer off course; I over-complicate, I rationalize, I pollute these virtues with sin—I have to refocus, and continually re-commit to these simple things of love, forgiveness and gratitude.  It’s in these moments of obedience, that I feel the relief of His perfect peace.