Forgive One Another Freely

"Continue putting up with one another  and forgiving one another freely." - COLOSSIANS 3:13.

JEHOVAH'S written Word enables us  to learn how he views sin  and how he reacts when we commit sins. His Word also reveals much about forgiveness. In another article, we focused on how the attitudes of  David and Manasseh elicited Jehovah's forgiveness. Their contrite, heartfelt  sorrow over what they had done led them to confession, rejection of  their wicked acts, and genuine repentance. In turn, Jehovah restored them to his favor.

Let  us examine forgiveness from a different perspective.  How do you think you would have felt toward Manasseh if his innocent victims had eluded one of your relatives? Would you  have been able to forgive Manasseh? That is a pertinent question today because we live in a lawless, violent, and selfish world. So why should a Christian want to cultivate a forgiving attitude? And if you suffer an affront or an injustice, what can help you to keep your emotions under control, react as Jehovah would want you to, and be willing to forgive?

Next time: Forgive One Another Freely - WHY WE NEED TO BE FORGIVING

From the jw.org publications