Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Love

Colossians 1:20-22, NIV
20 . . . and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. ?
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.
22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation?


Introduction: Human cultural history is like a history of war.? The earth abounds with ongoing news of battles and bloodshed. Behind the scenes of war and slaughter, there is hatred and hostility, and Satan is behind the hatred and hostility. Any doctrine or philosophy that has hatred as its basis comes from Satan?not from God.


1. The forgiveness, reconciliation, and love of God.

1) Satan has brought hatred and hostility between God and human beings
(Jn 8:44).
2) Through the Cross of Jesus, God did away with hatred and hostility and brought reconciliation and love (Col 1:20-22).

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2. Hatred and revenge are destructive viruses.

1) They devastate the soul and body (Pr 14:30; 12:16).
2) They destroy relationships with our neighbors (Pr 10:12; Isa 37:8).
3) They set your whole life on fire (Jas 3:14-16).
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3. The way to live a life of forgiveness.

1) We must accept the differences of others through understanding and dialogue (Eph 4:32; Col 3:13-14).
2) God is the one to make a righteous judgment (Pr 20:22; Ro 12:19).
3) Pray for forgiveness and love.
- Jesus’ prayer of forgiveness (Mt 6:12-15; 18:21-22, 35).
4) Erase from your memory.
- If I forgive the sins of others, God will forgive my sins (Heb 8:12; Isa 44:22).
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Conclusion: It is easy to talk about forgiveness when you are an observer. However, when you are put in an actual situation, it is never as easy to forgive as it is to talk about forgiveness. But eliminating the viruses of hatred and hostility through forgiveness will bring us greater peace of mind and happiness.