January 18 – Devotional

Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:1-17

Key Verses: Be tolerant with each other and, if someone has a complaint against anyone, forgive each other. As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other. And over all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. The peace of Christ must control your heart – a peace into which you were called in one body.
And be thankful people. – Colossians 3:13-15, CEB

In his letter to the church at Colossae, Paul wrote that, in order to live in unity with one another, the believers needed to set aside their anger, rage, malice, foul language, and untruths, and, instead, clothe themselves in the image of God by putting on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Paul also called the Colossians, and us by extension, to forgiveness. In order to be the unified body of Christ that God intends us to be, we must forgive one another as God forgives us.

Sadly, First Houston United Methodist Church is not unlike the church at Colossae. Over the years, anger, ill will, unkindness, and pride have reared their ugly heads. Our church has struggled with divisions and hurts that have caused some members to leave the church and others to become lukewarm in their attendance and support. In order to move forward into God’s best future for our church, we need to name those divisions and hurts, forgive them, and anticipate, with hope, all God can accomplish through a unified church.

Pray:

• What hurts and divisions within First Houston United Methodist Church need to be forgiven and healed? What hurts or ill feelings do you harbor against the church itself or fellow church members that God is calling you to forgive?
• How does forgiveness and healing free us as a church and individual members of it to move forward into God’s best future?

Listen: With open eyes, ears, and heart, listen for God to speak to you now and throughout the day.

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