Sunday, December 21 Continue . . . forgiving one another freely.​—Col. 3:13.

[Áine]

Sunday, December 21

Continue . . . forgiving one another freely.—Col. 3:13.

 

The apostle Paul knew that his Christian brothers and sisters were imperfect. For example, he was misjudged soon after he started to associate with the congregation. (Acts 9:26) Later, some spoke about him behind his back to damage his reputation. (2 Cor. 10:10) Paul saw a responsible brother make a wrong decision that may have stumbled others. (Gal. 2:11, 12) And one of Paul’s close companions, Mark, greatly disappointed him. (Acts 15:37, 38) Paul could have allowed any one of these situations to cause him to refuse to associate with the offenders. Yet, he maintained a positive view of his brothers and sisters and remained active in Jehovah’s service. What helped Paul to persevere? Paul loved his brothers and sisters. Paul’s love for others helped him to focus, not on their imperfections, but on their fine qualities. Love also helped Paul to do what is mentioned in today’s text. w24.0315 ¶4-5

[dljbsp]

The apostle Paul knew that imperfect people hurt one another in the congregation. He was misjudged, spoken against, disappointed by close associates, and affected by decisions that caused harm. These were not minor, yet Paul did not allow it to poison his view of his brothers.

 

What helped him?
Love.

Paul chose to focus on their fine qualities and on how Jehovah viewed them.
He maintained a positive outlook and remained active in Jehovah’s service.

Forgiveness can't mean pretending that faulty actions never occurred, but refusing to let it bother you.
Love enables us to look beyond the offense and recognize that Jehovah is patient, merciful, and still working with imperfect people.

 

Continue to forgive requires effort, but brings peace. 

[Vincent Callahan]

The Scripture that the Text focuses on makes me think of a Scripture in Matthew chapter 6:

 

Matthew 6:14

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you; whereas if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 

I also liked where the Text said Paul had to maintain a positive view of his brothers and sisters. He in effect had to try to see them the way Jehovah views them. 

1 Samuel 16:7

But Jehovah said to Samuel: "Do not pay attention to his appearance and how tall he is, for I have rejected him. For the way man sees is not the way God sees, because mere man sees what appears to the eyes, but Jehovah sees into the heart.

 

"Love is what helped Paul to do what is mentioned in today's text."

 

This especially made me think of a Scripture in Peter:

1 Peter 4:8

Above all things, have intense love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.