October 22 – The Forgiven / Forgive

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV)

If we let our guard down, it is easy to find ourselves in conflict with others and that conflict leads to attitudes and actions unbecoming our profession in Jesus Christ. Our verse today cautions each of us about attitudes and actions that are unpleasant. “Bitterness” is a smoldering resentment. “Wrath” is an outburst of rage. “Anger” is internal, feelings of hostility. “Clamor” is brawling, the outcry of strife out of control. “Slander” is evil speaking. “Malice” is the general term for ill will toward others. The six vices are responded to with three commands. being kind is doing what is suitable or fitting to a need. being compassionate is having inner emotions of affection. in forgiving we give freely and graciously. Those who have been forgiven so much by God should, of all people, forgive the relatively small offenses against them by others. Kindness, compassion and forgiveness are what Christ has toward us and we did not deserve it. God exemplified these in Christ. We are promised forgiveness by God and by his grace and help we can forgive each other. 

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August 01 – Unconditional = No Excuses

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.” – Luke 6:35 (NASB)

The fuller context of our passage is Luke 6:17-49. Some will say this is the same discourse as the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5-7. Others call it the Sermon on the Plain. It could be the same or it could be at a different time and place. That Jesus taught these important lessons on unconditional love more than once is likely. Jesus repeated his lessons many times to different crowds of people who followed Him around. It would be fair to suggest that the commands given here by Jesus on how to live in difficult circumstances with difficult people are too often overlooked, ignored, or deemed too difficult to do. Yes, if we try to exercise love of this kind in our own strength. But it can be done. Jesus never commanded us to do the truly impossible. He is with us always as he abides with all faith believers. This love is unconditional, the love that God demonstrates to us every day. As God’s children we should bear the indelible stamp of His moral character. Since He is loving, gracious, and generous—even to those who are His enemies—we should be like Him.

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September 29 – Be Kind, Be Forgiving

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

Kindness is valued by many, even those who do not believe in the one true God as we do.  The Dalai Lama is quoted saying “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”  Our God teaches us to be kind to one another and then He takes it a step further.  Be kind, compassionate to one another AND forgiving each other.  It is hard sometimes to even think about forgiving someone who has mistreated us.  We might be tempted to think that God is expecting too much from us.  How can we ever forgive a serious wrong done to us?  Remember, that God does not expect anything from us that is too difficult for us to do or more than He does for us. He promises to give us the strength to do all that he asks.  Forgiveness is something God has granted us through grace and mercy and through the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross.  So, through us in Christ we can show God's kindness, compassion, and forgiveness for each other.  Let's do that starting now..

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June 21 – 3 in 1: Kindness, Compassion, Forgiveness

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

Our promise, if we have received Jesus Christ as our Savior and accepted His free gift, is that we are forgiven.  God forgave us and continues that forgiveness on into eternity.  It is a completed action.  That is why we are called in this verse from the Apostle Paul's letter to the Christ followers in Ephesus to be kind to one another.  Having compassion is what being tenderhearted is about.  Our forgiveness from God, because of what Christ has done, obligates us to forgive others in our lives.  Getting even is not and option.  Our options in life are kindness, compassion, and forgiveness because that is what God has shown and showered on us.  Who can we be kind to today?  Who needs some tender loving care?  Who do we need to forgive and let the offenses of the past be in the past.  Certainly there are those who we can show this way to.  

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