Put On The Overcoat Of Love
“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.” Colossians 3:12-14
Maybe the greatest miracle of your life will come when you choose to release forgiveness. Being hurt by someone is a reality, but bitterness is a reaction. Things are going to happen to you that you don’t deserve, and you may even have cause to be angry, but if you want to be like Jesus, you have to choose to put on the “overcoat of love.”
Everybody has the potential to make you mad sooner or later, but the Bible says to put up with each other. Trouble is inevitable, but misery is optional. People are going to wrong you, so you may decide ahead of time that you are going to let it go. Being angry and holding grudges gives the enemy a foothold. The Bible tells us to be angry and sin not. Satan cannot operate in the presence of forgiveness. And scripture encourages us - Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath.
Jesus chose to forgive Judas. Even when He knew Judas would betray Him, He called him “friend.” Jesus also said of those torturing Him, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” When Jesus was crucified, and God’s forgiveness for the world was released, tremendous power was released! The earth shook, and even death itself loosened its hold on many who were in the grave. Satan lost complete control of his plan in the presence of absolute forgiveness.
Forgiveness is not some small thing in the Bible. It is a main thing. Jesus said the greatest commandments were to love the Lord your God and to love one another. You will have to give an account of your words and attitude one day. Decide today that you will “make allowances for others’ faults,” knowing that Jesus has been merciful in dealing with you.
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