In my reading, studying, and reflection of the Scriptures, Colossians chapter three declares: "Rules for Holy Living." Do you know what I discovered in Colossians 3:13?

" Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do."

The Holy Spirit spoke to me directly from these words and confirmed that, "Forgiveness is an essential paradigm sift in a believer's life in a mission-shaped Church based in any community."

In my quite time with the Lord, I have been learning to hear, acknowledge, understand, and share in the experience of the saints how to hear the voice of God through prayer and meditation. And it downed on me that God's Word is very much alive and working in my life.

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and morrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" Hebrews 4:12.

Jesus Himself gave us the supreme example of forgiveness in the face of the most ignoble cruelty inflicted upon Him on the cross: "Father, forgive them,' He prayed, "For they do not know what they do" Luke 23:34.

How do we know, understand, experience, and put into practice God's forgiveness in our community where we live and work?

I have no doubt in my mind that the Scriptures challenges us to follow Jesus' example:

" Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." Colossians 3:13.

Indeed, Jesus placed forgiveness as central to the Christian way of life and put it in the centre of the prayer that He taught his disciples to pray - Matthew 6:9-15, a prayer that Christians have prayed for two millennia.

That prayer links God's forgiveness of our sins to our willingness to forgive others privately and publicly in the context of our relationships in God's mission today , "Forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors." Matthews 6:12.

It dawned on me that forgiveness is a very difficult thing to accept from our human point of view. However, the Holy Spirit made it very clear to me that with God all things are possible - Matthew 19:26.

We are called to forgive.

I have heard of one Rwandan woman, a faithful Christian, who watched in horror as a neighbour, considered a friend, hacked her husband to death. With blood on his hands, the murderer, with some two million others, fled to neighbouring Zaire. Two years later, when the civil war broke out in Zaire, he returned to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. Starved and in rags, he sought survival in anonymity. One day, in the marketplace, he came face-to face with the woman whose husband he brutally murdered. They recognised each other instantly. It is hard to say who was more shocked.

The man froze in terror, for all the woman had to do was to cry out, denounce him, and he would be arrested at best, at worst, he might have been lynched on the spot. Even if arrested, her testimony would be enough to have him condemned forever. Instead, she invited him to her home. Fearing reprisals, but not having any alternative, he followed her to her home. She made him sit. He thought to flee, but she brought him food and water.

While he was eating, she brought him some of her late husband's clothes. And she told him, "I want you to know that I forgive you for your sin against me. I can do this only because I love Jesus, who has forgiven me. Through His grace, I can follow His example. You may go in peace."

"Forgive and you will forgiven."

I do not know if the man repented of his deeds and sought salvation in Christ. That is between him and God. However, the account-story of this simple woman taught me that forgiveness is not easy, but with God, forgiveness becomes possible. It's the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer like that woman. You and me ought to learn. There is no time to wait and to negotiate about anything to delay to forgive one another.

We must remember that it was God who chose to demonstrate how humanity can learn, understand, experience, and put into practice 'forgiveness' in and through different personalities, backgrounds, races, and preferences, so we should value what our Lord Jesus Christ taught His disciples how and when to "bear with one another, and forgive one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." Colossians 3:13.

We must stay focused on what matters most:

1. Knowing Christ
2. Growing in Christ
3. Serving Christ
4. Sharing Christ and
5. Worshipping through Christ.

Who then benefits from forgiveness? And why is this so important for believers?

I am of the opinion that, in any forgiveness situation, there are four possibilities:

1. The sinners repents, the victims forgives.
2. The sinner does not repent, but the victim forgives.
3. The sinner repents but the victim does not forgive.
4. The sinner does not repent, and the victim does not forgive.

A. The sinner repents, the victims forgives.

This is the best-case scenario. Both sinners and victims are at peace with each other and with God. The sinner has made their peace with God, and so far as possible, with the victim. The victim has allowed the Holy Spirit to heal their heart and to let go of the anger, hurt; sorrow, resentment, and bitterness-to turn it over to God and allow Him to deal with the matter that was at stake. From being enemies, the two can move forward to becoming brothers and sisters in Christ. This is what you and I ought to know, learn, understand, experience, and practice.

B. The sinner does not repent, but the victim forgives.

The sinner remains in sin, but the victim had made their peace with God. Note that the victim does not need to wait until the sinner repents before forgiving them. It is vital for Christians to forgive for their own spiritual health. This was the case with Jesus and those who crucified Him. "Father, forgive them," He prayed, "for they do not know what they do" Luke 23:34. It is imperative that Jesus showed that forgiveness remains the disciples' duty regardless of whatever the other party accepts this offered forgiveness or not. This applies to us to day everywhere we live, at home, where we work, at worship, in our Bible study groups, and our fellowships. Indeed, many of those involved in the crucifixion of Jesus did not repent or accepted the forgiveness Jesus offered them, but chose to remain in their sins.

Am I in this bulletin, talking to someone who have fallen in this step 'B'. Scenario? Look into your heart and let the Holy Spirit lead you to acknowledge what the Holy Spirit is saying - Revelation 3:20.

C. The sinner repents but the victim does not forgive.

The sinner remains at peace with God, and eternally speaking, may be forgiven. However, this does not mean all consequences are erased. However, the person who has forgiven may trust God to deal with them. Sadly, the victim remains a victim unable to surrender the pain and anger to the loving Jesus, unable to allow the barrier between them and God to be broken down.

D. The sinner does not repent, and the victim does not forgive.

This is the worst case scenario, and sadly, the most common one. Our churches and the world of many religions fall under this 'mind your own business.' And I have witnessed some people use our Lord's name as swear word to try to justify their actions. However, it is imperative to know that Jesus practically challenged his disciples - Matthew 18:23-35 - in the parable when the unpayable debt was freely forgiven by the one to whom the debt is owed. The king in the parable retracted the forgiveness when the forgiven refused to forgive in turn. Jesus concludes in verse 35, "So My Heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." In other words "Forgive and you will forgiven."

Here at St Matthew's Church we are motivated by encouraging , forgiveness. "Forgive and you will be forgiven." A healthy church filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and our five biblical purposes are:

1. Knowing Christ
2. Growing in Christ
3. Serving Christ
4. Sharing Christ and
5. Worshipping through Christ.

Modicum