May 23, 2025

MAKE ALLOWANCES AND FORGIVE

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”

Colossians 3:12–14 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

The focus here is not on being the moral referees or hall monitors of everyone else’s behavior. Paul’s instruction is personal and relational—we are to make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends us.

He begins by reminding us of who we are: “God chose you to be the holy people He loves.” That identity leads directly to our responsibility: “Clothe yourselves…” He’s shifting from what we’re to “put off” (earlier in the chapter—anger, malice, slander, etc.) to what we’re now to “put on.”

And what an impressive wardrobe this is:

• Mercy (Tenderhearted mercy): This is compassion in action. It’s choosing to respond with forgiveness, not retaliation. God has shown us mercy—we extend that same mercy to others.

• Kindness: A reflection of God’s own kindness toward us. Remember, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Kindness is love made visible in how we treat others.

• Humility: In Paul’s day, humility wasn’t admired—it was seen as weakness. But Jesus redefined it. Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself—it’s thinking of yourself less. It’s the willingness to serve, to listen, to yield.

• Gentleness (Meekness): This is strength under control. Think of a powerful horse that’s been trained. It hasn’t lost its strength—it’s simply yielded it to the rider. We are called to yield our strength to God.

• Patience: This literally means “long tempered.” It’s the ability to endure without lashing out. Patience is choosing self-control when emotions want to erupt.

Paul then says:

“Make allowance for each other’s faults.”

That word means “to hold back”—to hold back judgment, criticism, or retaliation. God does this with us—He holds back His wrath because of grace. We’re called to do the same.

Forgive anyone who offends you.

Not if they offend you—when. Offense is inevitable. But forgiveness is a decision—a commitment to release the offense. Remember, forgiveness is free, trust is earned, but forgiveness is given.

And then Paul gives us the one thread that ties it all together:

“Above all, clothe yourselves with love.”

Love is what binds every other virtue in place. It’s the glue that holds mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience together in perfect harmony.

Paul’s reminder is powerful:

“The Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

This isn’t about trying harder—it’s about remembering better. When we remember God’s love and forgiveness toward us, it becomes much easier to reflect that love to others.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, help me to put on these qualities each day. Show me where I am lacking. Shape me into someone who reflects Your mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love. Help me forgive as I have been forgiven.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”