Some things just go together, like peanut butter and jelly or Tigers baseball and summer nights. Redemption has a partner too—forgiveness. Pause and read Colossians 1.3-14. In verse 14 we see these partners together, “…who purchased our freedom [redeemed us] and forgave our sins” (NLT).
In slavery to sin, we had no hope. We were stuck in the dominion of darkness (v. 13). There was no way we could buy or work ourselves out of our predicament. In addition to being in slavery, we were also guilty (James 2.10) and the sentence was death. Thankfully, Jesus doesn’t just free us from enslavement to sin so he can condemn us for our actions. Instead, he both redeems and forgives.
Ephesians 4.32 reminds us to “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Take a moment and watch the clip below of Pastor Jeff Manion challenging us to rightly respond to the redemption and forgiveness Jesus offers by becoming people who forgive.
Today, as you spend time in the Chair, reflect on how you respond to being wronged. Do you respond by offering grace, or by seeking revenge? Memorize Ephesians 4.32 to help you respond rightly when you have been wronged.
