¹³ bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Colossians 3:13 ESV)

Living with people can be hard.

Living without them, can be even harder.

We do not want to walk through this life alone. Furthermore, God made us to desire community. Thus, getting together is good for us psychologically, spiritually and physically. But it requires a level of bearing with one another and forgiveness.

Too many today turn away from gathering at churches because they are full of hypocrites. Well, I have bad news. You rank right there with them. Because we are all fallen, sinful beings, yes, everyone is hypocritical and everyone falls short at times.

But God calls us to bear with one another, for forgive as we have been forgiven, this is what sets the faithful apart. How can we hope to really understand God’s gift of forgiveness if we ourselves cannot forgive.

Do not hold out from gathering with your brothers and sisters who all need you just as much as you need them. Today we spend so much time online that it can become our place of community. But this is a hollow place that does not breed true community and friendship. Many may argue this point, but God did not make us for living our lives online.

Venture out and be a part of the faith body, in person.