'Bearing or Brawling'

S – Colossians 3: 13 – 14

 

‘Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you – over all these virtues put on love.’

 

O – The importance of relational integrity in the overall mission and journey together as the family of God. ‘Bearing with each other’ brings the reality there will be issues, differences, annoyances and challenges in our relationships. This word ‘to bear’ is the fruit and attitude that carries and expresses all the necessary attributes that Paul mentions in the previous verses – Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness and Patience. All these are necessary if we are going to ‘bear with each other’. Bearing with each other is not reacting or contending, rather it is the carrying expression of these other qualities. When we ‘bear with each other’ it is the outworking of Holiness. Our forgiveness has to be total; it is for whatever grievance. Our grievances never tend to describe major issues, but lesser irritations that can become so major in our own perspectives and attitudes. Our forgiveness is based on a supreme example, not on conditions, merit or personal disposition.

 

A – This is an important relational check for my own personal attitudes in relationships. The ability to ‘bear’ is more than me being tolerant, or making a self gallant decision to ‘put up with’. It is actually an expression of Holiness. The imperative to forgive is not based on when I feel like it, or when I have worked the issue through, but to forgive whatever the grievance. I will not be able to do this unless I clothe myself with the attributes of Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness and Patience. Quick and unconditional forgiveness is reflection of our Holiness.

 

P – Lord I thank you that your example and unconditional forgiveness for me, enables me to release such to those around me. Let me be quick to forgive and to bear with others in my everyday walk and relationships.