GALATIANS 6:9-10

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

TO PONDER

I recently read this an a book by John Mark Comer called God Has A Name. In it he says, “Marriage is the art of learning to forgive over and over and over again.” Hopefully, If you’re married you will chuckle and agree with this statement and if you’re not married, I imagine, you would think mariage sounds exhausting…

In today’s verses Paul is encouraging us to do the same thing that John Mark Comer is talking about in his book; not to become weary in doing good, especially when it comes to those closest to us, whether actual family or our Christ born family.

In John’s biography of Jesus he quotes Jesus as saying that everyone will see him in us if we whole-heartedly love our church family (paraphrased John 13:35).

This way of living is part of LifeWay’s DNA; to Share Boldly, to display unreasonable hospitality to our church family and to our neighbours (your neighbour is anyone who is not you).

Paul puts it this way in his letter to the Colossians; “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 3:12-17

So, the concept of “learning to forgive over and over and over again” is something that doesn’t only belong in marriage but is our fitting response to God’s “aggressive forgiveness” (grace) shown towards us.

PRAYER: Almighty God, I thank you because you first loved me, you forgave me when I didn’t deserve it, you even welcomed me into your family displaying your unreasonable hospitality of grace, I ask you to use me in mirroring this grace to those around me. Amen.

Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside