In God’s Hands

Secret Weapon   March 27 2025 Edited

Romans 12:16 LB

Ephesians 4:31-32 MSG

Colossians 3:14 MSG

I recently saw a person in action treat someone else with great disrespect and what I saw them do to another person “wasn’t pretty”. I forgave them by saying ‘I forgive her.’ to God.

When I was younger I was taught that in order to forgive someone we have to seek forgiveness from that person.

Then I started worshipping with people who truly believed in the fullness of grace. GRACE.

Romans 12:16 tells us, “Work happily together. Don’t try to act big. Don’t try to get into the good graces of important people, but enjoy the company of ordinary folks. And don’t think you know it all!”

We know from Ephesians 4:31-32 we can forgive by telling God we forgive them and it will be done. “Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.”

It does not specify (in most cases) you have to ask the person for forgiveness.

It seems like there are exceptions. In Colossians 3:14 Paul wrote, “Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”

Scripture doesn’t specify what we are to do if someone else won’t forgive. The focus is on us. We are told to forgive if we have offended another person. When someone else offends you, tell God you were hurt by their words or actions and that you forgive them. The matter is then in God’s hands.

I majored in communication in college and we were taught about transactional communication. I am responsible for my words and actions. I am not responsible for the words and actions of another. Scripture is in agreement with that thought pattern.

The old saying tells us, “I am not my brother’s keeper.” We are told to love but not to control their actions.

Yesterday I forgave her and left the matter in God’s hands. Back to Romans 12:16…I was reminded to work together and don’t think you know it all. We are not called to decide when someone else is right or wrong. We are called to forgive and to love.

In Jesus, Deborah

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