Daily Devotional for Sunday, September 13

A Command To Forgive

“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness,” Colossians 3:14.
Do you remember as a child when another child did or said something not so nice to you? Your parent in charge at the time, or another trusted adult, remedied the situation by making the offender apologize. Then, of course, you had to say I forgive you even if you did not mean it. It is good to teach a child to either apologize or to forgive because this is not something that comes naturally to people. Apologies and forgiveness need to be taught. If not, human nature just continues to grow in selfishness and self-absorption.
Today’s passage starts with the command to “put on.” Why? Because you are the elect of God, holy and beloved. God wants you to put on the attitudes and behaviors which are pleasing to Him. The phrase “put on” gives the thought of sinking into a garment as if you are engulfed or surrounded by it. Be engulfed in God’s ways so you will be protected, and you can have His joy and peace. You are told several things to put on and one of them is forgiveness. It is a command to forgive because Christ forgave you.
Verse 14 gives you the antidote to do the things listed, including forgiveness. Above all these things (the aforementioned list) put on charity. The word charity has the same Greek definition as love. So above all these things put on love. Above all these things love is the most important. Sink into love, let love surround you and be your protection against the enemy. Love is what prompts you to put-on. Love also covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Love provides the strength and grace you need to forgive and to put on all the attributes of a godly character.

Something to Think About
God has many commands, but the first and most important is to love Him with your whole being. When you do that, loving others will not be difficult.

Karry Irizarry