Bearing With One Another - Colossians 3:12-13

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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. Colossians 3:12-13

Long Tempered

I am looking at verse 13 but I wanted to see the context of verse 12 with it.

I am a grateful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for my sins.

Yet, I am convicted that I lack patience. The verse says, "...bearing with one another..." That is patience. People are described sometimes as being "short-tempered." They get mad at other people easily. But what about calling people the opposite, long-tempered?

Patience is being long-tempered.

This patience is paired with forgiveness. And that is important. If I am not patient, I will have issues with forgiveness. I'll either be flying off at people, or I will bottle up that anger.

Speak the Truth in Love

How easy it is to compound one thing on top of another as I interact with others.

I keep this dumb little checklist in my head.

Now, some things need to be said. People do step on my toes, they hurt me. Sometimes they don't even realize it. I must tell them. The scripture says to speak the truth in love. That's still "bearing with one another."

That checklist has not served me well. It keeps me from serving people graciously. It is mentally hanging on to hurts that need to go.

Jesus nailed my sins to the cross. He has died for my sins, forgiving me; He has done the same for all who will accept it, turning to Him, repenting of their sin.

This is amazing grace. Now, because He has come to me with grace, I can do the same for others. I can trust Him to take care of me in the process. I can speak the truth in love.

Lord, give me the grace to forgive. You have forgiven me. I am yours. A forgiver is who I am in You. Today.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

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