02/01/2024 – Be Kind and Compassionate
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
It is marvelous to see what the Apostle Paul proposes to believers at that time given the fact that we still face the very same struggles now in 2021. We see Paul open up this chapter urging his readers to live according to the calling they have received as believers (4:1) which includes humility, gentleness, patience, and love (4:2). Paul also emphasizes the importance of making every effort to keep unity and peace within the body of Christ (4:3).
That’s a point that connects to verse 32 because to make every effort to keep unity and peace with those around us means to be kind and compassionate, and ultimately, forgiving one another, just as Christ God has forgiven us.
Forgiveness may seem like an impossible option for us when we’ve been so deeply hurt by one’s choices of words and actions, particularly when that individual has been part of most of our lives. For some, that hurt is so profound that the phrase from society, “burn your bridges”, may be used, which essentially means that there is no going back and the hurt that was made is almost permanent.
If there is one person that we can look up to for guidance in terms of forgiveness, it’s our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus makes it clear that forgiveness towards our neighbor is an essential part of our spiritual living. Jesus states in Matthew 6:14-15, “14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 but if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
This makes it clear that to have an abundant and healthy relationship with our Heavenly Father, we must be willing to forgive those that have hurt us, even if the hurt is so profound. If our God forgives His children who continuously hurt Him daily with our sin, then we ought to model that and forgive our neighbor.
So that brings up the question, are there any grudges or faults that we are holding on to because of an individual’s actions? I encourage you today to set your sight on our perfect God who forgives all because of His unending love and encourage you to forgive.