(Photo by Caroline Quiering on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible)
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
When you give yourself to Christ, you begin a new life. As a believer, you are called to put off your old self and put on your new self, which is being renewed according to God’s will. This verse calls believers to be kind and tenderhearted toward one another.
To be kind means to be genuinely good, gracious and helpful toward others rather than treating them with harshness or hostility. Kindness is not simply being polite. It is choosing to treat others in a way that reflects the character of Christ.
Next, we are called to be tenderhearted. This means having compassion toward others and not becoming hard or indifferent toward their needs and struggles. Instead of being controlled by bitterness or anger, we should have hearts that are moved with compassion toward the people around us.
We are also commanded to forgive one another. This is not something we do only once. People will continually let you down, offend you and hurt you. As Christians, we are called to continually forgive others rather than holding on to bitterness and resentment.
Remember that Christ forgave you. You did not deserve to be forgiven of your sins, but God freely forgave you through Christ. When you remember the great mercy you have received, it should change the way you respond to people who have hurt you.
Ask God to help you grow in kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness toward others. Spend time meditating on the forgiveness you have received through Christ. Look to Christ. Remember the salvation He has given you and the mercy He has shown you.
As you keep your eyes on Christ and remember His grace toward you, He will transform the way you think, the way you respond and the way you look at other people. ~ Jeff M Newman
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