Pass It On

When I talk about my mom, it’s easy to become emotional. After losing my

mom in 2020, I wondered at the ways she mirrored God’s grace. In moments

when I stood guilty, I knew I was still loved by Mom.

Growing up in my house, we saw this grace in actionand to be honest,

sometimes it got a little personal. For example, when arguments broke out

between me and my brothers, she was on it. First, she separated us,

allowing everyone to calm down. Then, she let each of us tell our side of

the story. Next, she brought us together and quietly pointed out how we had

hurt, or perhaps manipulated, the other person.

Finally, came the part I dreaded: we faced each other and apologized. This

meant not only saying I’m sorry, but following it with: Will you forgive

me? Sometimes, just uttering the words Yes, I forgive you was the

hardest part. Other times, swallowing my pride and saying I’m sorry was

harder.

But Mom dealt with our pride by reminding us how Jesus humbled Himself to

die on the cross for our sinsnot Hisbecause He loves us. Second

Corinthians 5:21 says: For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the

offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through

Christ. Because Jesus Christ willingly died for us, and then rose from the

grave, we have the sure hope of experiencing His grace…and extending that

grace to others. When I remember Christ’s humility, how much easier it is

to let go of the grip of resentment.

God’s inexplicable grace leads us to experience His forgivenessa

forgiveness so strong, we can pass it on to others. G. Kam Congleton

Have you experienced God’s forgiveness by trusting in Jesus? (Read more

by checking out the Know Jesus page.)

Even after we’ve experienced Jesus’s forgiveness, it can still be

difficult to forgive others. But God is patient with us, and He invites us

to rely on His power and love to forgive. How might remembering what Jesus

has done to forgive us help us to forgive others? (Remember, if someone has

hurt you deeply, forgiving them

doesn’t mean you need to be in close relationship with them.)

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.

Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13

(NLT)

Read Verses:

Ephesians 4:31-Ephesians 5:2; Colossians 3:13