The Apostle Paul here grounds us in the characteristics of forbearance, forgiveness, and love, explicitly demonstrated in the redemptive work of Christ Jesus. Thus outlining the obligations all Christians have towards one another. But forgiveness is easier said than done, for the path to forgiveness has two distinct ways to go. We can release the hurt and relinquish the resentment to God…or we can relive the hurt over and over again in our imagination, coddling it & wearing it like some bizarre badge of victimization. The decision is ours…but if we choose to give it to God, He in His perfect love, can teach us how to love those who hurt us the most.
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