Make Allowances

“Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13

When I was a kid, I learned not to point fingers. My brother used to tell me, “Remember, when you point your finger at someone, there are three fingers pointing back at you.” Rather than pointing out the faults of others, the Bible tells us to make allowances for them. After all, everyone is perfect until you get to know them. Making allowance for other people’s faults means entering relationships expecting that people are not perfect. When they prove they are not perfect is the perfect time to overlook their imperfections. 

People will offend you. It’s a given. Decide whether you are going to forgive them. “Let me make this easier for you,” Paul writes to the Colossians, “Let’s think about how much the Lord has forgiven you.” Once you see yourself as the offender and not merely the one being offended, it’s easy to forgive others. Remember those ungodly thoughts, those hurtful words, those offensive deeds? Remember how you laid them all at the feet of Jesus and received His forgiveness? 

Keep that in perspective the next time others offend you. Make allowances. Remember, the Lord forgave you. This is how you forgive others.