FORGIVE AS CHRIST FORGAVE YOU

Passage: Ephesians 4:25-32

Key verse: 32

NIV

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully(A) to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.(B) 26 “In your anger do not sin”[a]:(C) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.(D) 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,(E) doing something useful with their own hands,(F) that they may have something to share with those in need.(G)

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,(H) but only what is helpful for building others up(I) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,(J) with whom you were sealed(K) for the day of redemption.(L) 31 Get rid of(M) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.(N) 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another,(O) forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.(P)

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Footnotes
  1. Ephesians 4:26 Psalm 4:4 (see Septuagint)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you (A)speak the truth with his neighbor, for (B)we are members one of another. 26 (C)Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and (D)give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather (E)let him labor, (F)doing honest work with his own hands, so (G)that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 (H)Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give (I)grace to those who hear. 30 And (J)do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, (K)by whom you were sealed for the day of (L)redemption. 31 (M)Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 (N)Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, (O)forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

The church body is precious. We must speak truthfully and be held accountable for the sake of the congregation. Lying only adds to the problem. We must overcome the desire to get angry and get revenge, and resolve our anger quickly, so that we may clear the air and move on. Satan works through emotions to get a foothold to destroy the body of Christ. Stealing is another problem: Once a spirit of stealing money comes in, it is hard to drive out. It destroys the church’s reputation.

Controlling our lips to speak wholesome and edifying words and harnessing the gossip mill is direly critical in the church. We should not grieve the Holy Spirit through these petty sins in the body of Christ. They lead to real bitterness, irrational anger, and all kinds of malice that break down the vessel of the Holy Spirit among us.

We must be kind and compassionate on a daily basis, for people truly remember how we make them feel. And most importantly, we must forgive others as Christ forgave us. Is there anyone you need to forgive? Let’s practice God’s word and forgive others as Christ forgave you.

Prayer: Father, thank you for Jesus who forgave me. Help me to practice his kindness and compassion and forgive others as you forgave me.

One Word: Forgive others as Christ forgave me