Paying It Forward

"Forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."


When Paul was imprisoned, he wrote a number of letters addressed to the early churches he help started. In one of the churches (in the city of Colassae) where he heard about issues emerging, he wrote in part for the believers to bear with one another and to forgive as they themselves have been forgiven.

Well not much have changed in two thousand years, we still hear of issues popping up from every church and God is still reminding His people to be kind, gentle, compassionate, humble and forgiving.

Well, as history shows, it has not been easy. Although one formula works, and it works very well.

And this is to always be mindful that you were less than stellar yourself, you still are and probably will never ever be, and that in your absolute worst, you too were forgiven by Him who took your punishment, with grace, humility and asking nothing in return but for your trust that He already did so and His hope that you will eventually pay it forward.

Hence, there are still true believers today who are living the kind of life they ought to be living and there are still letters such as this one, to remind people like you that people are the same, then, now and in the future, Christ is the same way -- He is the same yesterday, today in our time and forever more.


"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 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.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do,whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)