Session 10

If we want to win, we have to forgive

From Win at Home: A 14-Day Devotional

The assumption is that a good marriage is one where you always agree. A happy family is one where no one loses their temper or gets on anyone else’s nerves. But this is not reality.

Reality is that if put a bunch of broken people under one roof, someone’s going to get hurt. It’s not a matter of if you’ll disagree, but when and for how long.

When we give our lives to Jesus, He gives us so much in return — forgiveness from sin, freedom from our past, access to God, a full life on earth, and eternal life in the age to come.

Jesus also entrusts us with specific responsibilities, and the ministry of reconciliation is one of them.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

Reconciliation is the restoration of friendly relations. As believers, we get to share the good news that through Jesus we can be reconciled to God. But how is someone to believe reconciliation is possible if they can’t see it in us?

This is one reason we’re to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with each other and forgiving one another as the Lord forgave us (Colossians 3:12-14).

When we get this right at home, we show the world what’s possible, and we discover a level of intimacy in our relationships that we didn’t know was possible.

Reflect:

• Do you find it easy or difficult to forgive others? Why is that?
• Is there anyone in your house that you’re at odds with? How can you pursue reconciliation today?