Forgiveness

August 12, 2021

DAILY READING

1 Corinthians 6

FIELD NOTES

For me, the passage today from I Corinthians is in many ways about forgiveness.  Paul is challenging the early church on their practice of taking lawsuits to the state instead of settling matters within the church community.  While some scholars will focus on how Paul understands the role of the church and the government in this passage, I think this passage calls us to be people of prayer, forgiveness, and grace.  If we have a grievance against a brother or a sister, we are called to first bring this grievance to God in prayer.  Of course many of us know that sometimes issues do ultimately need to go to court, but this passage helps remind us that God should be the center of our lives, conflict and all.  How in our divisions and conflicts can we place God in the middle?  How can we be people of God’s grace and forgiveness?

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• Are you bringing the conflict and division in your life to God first?  
• How can you be an example of God’s grace for the people around you?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• Is there anyone in your life you need to forgive?

PRAYER GUIDE

God, where there is division and conflict in my life, teach me to be a forgiving, grace-filled presence.  Though life may be throwing me some curveballs, help me to rely on you and be guided by your light and love.  Amen.