<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scripture: Colossians 3:13 <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus connects receiving forgiveness with extending forgiveness.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He teaches us to pray, “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” This is challenging because forgiveness can be painful, especially when the hurt is deep.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Forgiveness does not deny pain. It does not pretend the wrong did not happen. It does not mean trust is automatically restored. It does not mean there are no boundaries or consequences.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Forgiveness means we refuse to let pain rule our hearts. We release the debt into God’s hands. We let go of revenge and ask God to free us from bitterness.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we fail to forgive, our hearts can become closed. Bitterness keeps wounds open and binds us to the very pain we want to escape.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Forgiveness is often a process. It may begin by remembering that the person who hurt us is also broken. It may include trusting God with justice. It may include praying blessing instead of harm. It may include choosing words and actions that do not feed resentment.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He absorbs our debt so we can be free. As His followers, we learn to lay down resentment and choose mercy.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today, ask God for grace to take one step toward forgiveness.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reflection questions:<ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); list-style-type: decimal; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who do I need God’s help to forgive?</li><li aria-level="1" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); list-style-type: decimal; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is one small step I can take toward releasing bitterness or resentment?</li></ol><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prayer: <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus, thank You for forgiving me through the cross. Give me grace to release bitterness, trust You with justice, and forgive as You have forgiven me. Amen.

Forgiveness is often a process. It may begin by remembering that the person who hurt us is also broken. 

5.As We Forgive Others

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5.As We Forgive Others

5.As We Forgive Others

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