Day 6: Forgiven to Forgive

Paul does not start with a command to forgive. He starts by naming what is real in a person who has been hurt: bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, malice. He lists them because he knows that is what accumulates when hurt is not dealt with. Then he says get rid of all of it. But he doesn't leave you there. He gives you the only reason any of this is possible: just as in Christ God forgave you. You were not forgivable by being a good person. God did not look at what you brought to the table. He looked at what Christ did on the cross and gave you grace. That is the only thing that makes forgiveness possible. Not easy. But possible.