just as God has forgiven you, do likewise (Colossians 3:13)
An elderly Joe is nearing his death. For years he has been at odds with Bill, one of his former friends. Feeling the need to resolve his issues with Bill, before he died, he sent a messenger to Bill so that Bill would meet him.
When Bill arrives, Joe reveals to him that he is afraid of facing death with unresolved issues between them. Then, very heavily and haltingly, Joe begged him to be forgiven for all his unpleasing words and actions. He also convinced Bill that he had also forgiven all of Bill's mistakes. Everything seems to be going well until the moment Bill is about to leave her. As Bill was about to head out the door, Joe shouted, "But remember, if I get better this is all off!"
Such is the picture of the actions we often do to one another. The forgiveness we offer is shallow and motivated by selfish motives. We say forgive, but when the slightest problem arises, how quickly we are torn again by the bitterness of the past. We are like burying an ax with the handle still sticking out. Thus it is easy for us to take it back and use it according to our interests.
If God, who is without sin, wants to forgive us for all our transgressions, how can we withhold forgiveness from others who have wronged us? The true Christian will bury the ax until it is no longer visible -- RWD
FORGIVENESS IS THE GLUE TO CONNECT A BROKEN RELATIONSHIP
* Take from Daily Reflections