Raised with Christ: The Acts (Part 2) | Resources
Sermon Text: Colossians 3:12–14
“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” (CSB)
Devotional
When I think about what forgiveness looks like, the most practical example that comes to mind (besides Jesus) is my wife.
She and I actually dated two different times before we were married. The first time wasn’t good. I acted immaturely and didn’t treat her the way she deserved to be treated. In time, the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to how I’d been in the wrong and that I should seek forgiveness. I met with three trusted friends, asking if I was crazy to seek forgiveness and another opportunity with her.
To quote one friend, “You’d be crazy not to.”
So, I reached out, having zero expectations. Would she even meet with me? Would she be willing to forgive me? Was she dating someone else and even in the position to give me another chance? All unknowns. She graciously met with me and heard me out. I shared all the ways I felt I had wronged her in our previous relationship and asked for another chance with her, knowing I didn’t deserve one.
Praise God, my future wife had “put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another.” (Col. 3:12–13) She forgave me, and the rest is history. We were married just eight months later and now have two beautiful kids.
Are you a forgiving person? Do you act like a forgiven person? Maybe there isn’t someone out there right now who has wronged you that you need to forgive. But almost certainly, there will be.
“Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.” We, as Christians, should be the very quickest people to forgive. Why? Because we have been forgiven much.
So let’s strive to, by the Holy Spirit’s power, be a people ready and willing to forgive. After all, our Savior is.
Discussion/Reflection Questions
1. What is the biblical importance of the word “chosen” in verse 12? What does being elect or chosen mean scripturally?
2. What are some attributes or actions of someone with a compassionate heart?
3. Define forgiveness. Why is forgiveness a challenging action to take? Is there someone who you are struggling to forgive?
4. What does this text teach us about the gospel?
5. In light of this text, what does it look like to obey the prompting of the Spirit this week?
Memory Verse
“But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (CSB)