Therapeutic One Anothers: Forgive

Therapeutic One Anothers: Forgive

Today's Three-minute Bible Study
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Title: Therapeutic One Anothers: Forgive ---------------- Date: 1/24/2000
Keywords: "forgive" "forgiveness" "one another"

Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation.

Passages:

Ephesians 4:2* -

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love,

Colossians 3:13* -

bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

Questions

1. According to Ephesians 4:2, Christians are called to “forbearance” (a term meaning almost the same thing as “forgive”). What are the other characteristics listed in this verse which should accompany “forbearance”?

2. According to Colossians 3:13, on what basis should Christians forgive each other?

Practical help

The church is to be a place where forgiveness is given and received. Period. If you have ever been involved, or are right now involved, in a church, people have no doubt wronged you. Because of what Jesus has done for you - forgiven you! - you are to forgive those people who have wronged you.

Maybe you have recently told someone that you have a struggle with pornography and they responded with shocked horror, judged you, refused to ever have anything to do with you again. That is sad - but Jesus forgave you your $1,000,000 debt, so you are to forgive them their $100 wrong (see Matthew 18:23-35).

If that was your experience, don’t let it color your whole perspective on the church of Jesus Christ. There is forgiveness and cleansing and restoration available for you. Keep on seeking out brothers who will offer you what Paul talks about. Look for those who will listen with humility, receive you with gentleness, work with you patiently, bear with you. There are Christians who will never condone porn or your involvement with it, but will walk with you through the valley of addiction to the other side.

And here is a vision for you. After you have found victory, God will want you to be that humble, patient, forbearing Christian in the life of some other struggler. You, who have tasted forgiveness, will be able to give the gift of forgiveness!

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*"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLEŽ, Š Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."