Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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The Role Of Forgiveness in Family Harmony

Bible Reading: Colossians 3 : 12 – 14

Key verse:  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.   ( Colossians 3 : 13 – 14 ) 

DEVOTION

In Colossians chapter 3, we find the apostle Paul writing to the Christian community in Colossae, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and love among believers. The scene unfolds in a humble meeting space, likely a simple home or gathering place where the early Christians would come together for worship and fellowship. The room is filled with a diverse group of individuals, each with their own stories of faith and struggles.
The Greek word used for forgiveness is undeserved favor. We didn’t deserve God’s forgiveness but He provided for it and granted it freely in Christ. Colossians 3 : 13 - 14 reminds us of the importance of forgiveness and love in our lives. We are called to extend the same grace and forgiveness to others as the Lord forgives us for our mistakes and shortcomings. Forgiveness is a powerful act that can bring about healing, reconciliation, and peace in our relationships. It allows us to let go of resentment and move forward with a heart full of love and compassion.
Putting on love is described as something that binds everything together. Love is the foundation on which strong relationships and communities are built. When we choose to love others unconditionally, we create a bond that can withstand any challenge or difficulty. Love has the power to bring people together, bridge differences, and create harmony. We can create a more loving and compassionate world by embodying love in our actions and interactions.
So, the verse is a reminder for us to practice forgiveness, emulate the Lord’s forgiveness in our own lives, and to let love be our guiding principle in all that we do. It encourages us to cultivate a spirit of forgiveness and to approach every situation with love and compassion, knowing that these virtues have the power to bind us together in unity and understanding.
Think of your life like the teamwork that has to balance work and family. Just as we juggle roles and responsibilities, Colossians 3:13-14 urges us to weave forgiveness and love into our daily lives. Imagine forgiving like clearing a cluttered desk, making room for progress. Picture love as the glue holding the pieces of your life’s puzzle together. So, will you decide to clear the clutter and use love as your glue today?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, develop in me a spirit of gentleness that shows the love of Christ to all with whom I come in contact, and may my life become a reflection of the beautiful love of Christ. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
There is a nobility in compassion, a beauty in empathy, a grace in forgiveness.


Latha Mary Ninan
Epiphany Mar Thoma Church
New York

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