Colossians 3:13 – To Forgive is to Rescue

Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Let’s talk forgiveness for a second. The Greek word for forgiveness is charízomai. It means to grant as a favor, i.e. gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue:—deliver, (frankly) forgive, (freely) give, grant. Do you see that word rescue in that definition. What a great definition of forgive. To forgive is to rescue someone from the bondage of your own judgments against them.

We are called to forgive others no matter what they’ve done or how they have offended us. We are not to forgive just when we want to. We are not to forgive only after they’ve apologized. We are to freely let them go from holding them hostage to the pain and hurt that they may have caused you.

There is really only one reason that we are to forgive others. Because God forgave us. That’s it. Did God forgive you? Then forgive anyone who has wronged you. Period. Let it go. No matter the hurt. Give it to God and forgive. Forgiveness is not something that you are allowed to withhold. It’s not an option.

When you forgive you also rescue yourself. Forgiveness rescues you from the prison of the past and allows God to bring healing and beauty to your present and future.