“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13

On February 9, 1960, Adolf Coors III was kidnapped and held for ransom. Seven months later his body was found on a remote hillside. Adolf Coors IV, then fifteen years old, lost both his father and best friend. For years young Coors hated Joseph Corbett, the man who was sentenced for the slaying. Then in 1975 Adolf Coors became a Christian. While he divested himself of his interest in the family beer business, he could not rid himself of the hatred that consumed him. He prayed to God for help because he realized how his hatred for Corbett was alienating him from God and others. Then one day, claiming the Spirit’s presence, Coors visited Colorado’s Canon City penitentiary and tried to talk with Corbett. Corbett refused to see him. Coors left a Bible inscribed with this message: “I’m here to see you today and I’m sorry that we could not meet. As a Christian I am summoned by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to forgive. I do forgive you, and I ask you to forgive me for the hatred I’ve held in my heart for you.” Later Coors confessed, “I have a love for that man that only Jesus Christ could have put in my heart.”

Every man, woman and child needs forgiveness from others and forgiveness from Christ. Are you harboring hate for another? Today in prayer, thank Christ for His love and forgiveness. Then in Christ’s love, forgive those who have wronged you.

“Only one petition in the Lord’s Prayer has any condition attached to it: it is the petition for forgiveness.” – William Temple

God’s Word: “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.” – Luke 11:4

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2002, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS pkennedy@devotional.com