Today's Passage - Col 3:13-14

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Coloissians 3:13-14   Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another... And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.   People today are often bound by thoughts of hated in their heart.  Ever since we were young, we remembered every time we were hurt and encountered failure, and we cannot forgive.  Many people grow up filled with hatred, anger and desire to seek revenge in their mind.  If we look closely at where human beings are today, although we claim we seek "tooth for a tooth," but deep down inside us we really want to seek forgiveness from others.  Forgiveness is the essence of the Gospel, and it is how Christians are to live in the world.  Paul said that we ought to forgive one another and to "forgive as the Lord forgave you."   When we talk about forgiveness, the first reaction is to wonder why the other person doesn't apologize to me first, because it's unfair for me to initiate!  It's clearly the other person's fault, so he's lucky that I don't' seek revenge, so how can I be expected to forgive him first, and to accept and love him?  Isn't that too much to ask?  If we don't forgive others, we actually become the worst victim!  You will think about the problem all the time as it will occupy your mind, and you won't be able to do anything else.  Brothers and sisters, do you have lots of thoughts of grievance and cannot be released?  May the Lord help us to first come before Him and repent for our sin; ask the Lord to shine into the darkness in our heart, even if the darkness is just a small spot.   Paul said that "whatever grievances you may have against one another."  What is grievance?  It's a little grumbling, a minor agitation in our heart.  If we allow a little grumbling inside us to continue to grow, it can cause relationships to break up, or even dispute within the church.  We need to seriously face the minor agitation, and the most important thing is to come before God and experience His love again.  Let the love of the Lord comfort your wound through the Holy Spirit.  Quietly enjoy His love, and once you experience the Lord's love you can forgive all those who have wronged you, because you know that the Lord has forgiven you first.  Brothers and sisters, do you feel you need the Lord's love to help you forgive?  Come before the Lord now!        Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord Jesus, I once again come to your arms of love, and I ask you to heal me with your love.  Comfort me and encourage me so that I can become whole again from brokenness.  Lord, you are the first in my heart, and please remove all my bitterness and hatred so that your love of forgiveness can once again flow through me.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!