The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 3:12-15, “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

Giving and Receiving are the chief characteristics of special occasions. Qualities such as holiness, love, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience are the fundamental aspects that require giving and receiving. Forgiveness is an act whereby a person of higher standing chooses to overlook the inappropriate attitude or action of someone else. In our Scripture passage above, the LORD is the forgiver; we are the forgiven.

Have you noticed the response of someone who has been forgiven? In many ways that response parallels the attitude of the forgiver –at least it should. Paul the apostle is telling us that we ought to be willing to overlook (forgive) those who do ill against us, just as the LORD forgives us for our sins against Him. “Bearing with one another” is the complement to “having forgiven.” It means to forgive and forget.

Two additional rungs at the top this ladder of fortiveness are love and peace. Both love and peace originate with the LORD. Love openly identifies itself in the unity of two or more individuals. Whatever may have previously occurrred, all parties are now calm and united. At the same time, peace emanates from Christ and settles itself upon the parties involved. Each party is now thankful to God for the unity and is permeated with His Love.

Is something like that currently occuring in your life? Should it? So many things fit together and work smoothly when we are in spiritual fellowship with Him and with others. Be quick to forgive! He is! Be forgiving and forgetful of wrongs against you at the hands of others. Life is so smooth and loving when those qualities of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience abound. Thank you, LORD! Yes, you will thank Him in ways you’ve never dreamed.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom