He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. [Colossians 1:13-14 NRSV]
The contrasts in this verse from Colossians is stark. Darkness. Light. Slavery. Redemption. Punishment. Forgiveness. Earthly kingdom. Heavenly kingdom. We were born into darkness. Born anew into beautiful light. Light that causes us to love as we are loved. Forgive as we are forgiven. Letting go and moving on.There are many facets to forgiveness. Yet at the heart of it is the idea that one person releases another of something. Sometimes it is in the form of a financial debt. Other times it is the letting go of bitterness.
In a very real sense forgiveness is letting go of the things that we cannot control and embracing gracious mercy. I find this idea to be so liberating. For the one forgiven and for one forgiving. It puts forgiveness in a healthy perspective. Instead of one of emotional weakness it presents an image of a tremendously powerful person. One willing to let go of the bad things that control them.
As you have taught us Lord. We forgive those who have hurt us. We release them to you.
... this devotion is part of the z2a bible words series.
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