There are certain things in life that just go together, and when you think of one, you automatically think of the other. For instance, if I said, “peanut butter” you would think “jelly,” because they have always gone together. Then there is “macaroni” and “cheese.” But there are other things that go together other than food items that are even more critical to know about and understand. Fellowship and forgiveness will always go together and they can’t be separated. Think about it for minute, in order for any and every relationship to experience a deeper level of fellowship, forgiveness will always be a necessary element. Why? Because the moment something happens in that relationship, it can come back together and be in the same room together, but it cannot experience the joy and blessing of fellowship until forgiveness is offered and received.
This is the sad reality for many relationships today in the church and out of it. The relationship is still there, but the fellowship is broken because forgiveness is withheld. You know what that means, right? It means you have got to forgive and I have got to forgive. Unforgiveness will act like a dam holding back the blessings of God and the blessings and fullness a relationship could experience. Unforgiveness will not sit dormant in our hearts, but it corrodes and turns our hearts bitter.
Colossians 3:12-13 “Therefore, as [the] elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 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.]”
Christ is our example and He gives us the power to forgive and then go on living. But there’s more, forgiveness not only goes with fellowship, but it goes with gratitude and joy and peace. All that God has for us goes together for our good! Who do you need to forgive so you can be free? Pray about it!