Forgiven People Forgive

The key to forgiveness is found in the phrase “even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4: 32 NKJV). We receive forgiveness from God because Jesus Christ bore the punishment for sin in our place. We go free because Jesus paid the cost. This goes to the heart of what forgiveness is. It involves the canceling of a debt owed. The debt does not magically disappear. Rather, someone pays the debt on behalf of the debtor.

Christ paid our debt of sin with His blood. He satisfied the wrath of God. This news motivates our forgiveness toward one another. Remembering what Christ paid to purchase our freedom makes us willing to absorb the wrongs of others so that they can go free. After all, Christ paid their debts as well. If the death of Jesus satis­fied the wrath of God, should it not satisfy us as well?

The same logic flows from Colossians 3:13 (NKJV): “forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” Forgiveness is something we “must do.” But the reason for the commandment is glorious: “even as Christ forgave you.” Christ has given much for our salvation. We have been forgiven much in our salvation. The cross spares us the death we deserve in order to provide the life we do not deserve. This message compels us to exhibit the same kind of eager and joyful forgiveness toward one another.

Question for Reflection:

• Am I withholding forgiveness from anyone this week?

This devotional is an excerpt from Christian Unity and You.
Discover how you can promote Christian unity in your own life with this insightful book!