From Ephesians 4:32, we learn that kindness also involves forgiveness. Forgiveness is essential to retaining a kind attitude towards others. Think about it. If someone has wronged you and you are holding onto that hurt or anger, isn't it difficult to be kind to that person? But God not only calls us to act kindly but to have a kind, tender-hearted attitude towards each other. So, forgiveness is necessary.
The example is obvious. The verse says "...just as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you." We are to forgive in the same way that God has forgiven us. Totally and completely, with no remembrance of the wrong. Scripture tells us that God has removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west. He does not hold our sins against us but instead extends much-needed grace to us in our sins. We are called to do the same. We are to treat those who have wronged us as if the wrong never happened. That is kindness at it's core and what we are called to do.
Easier said than done, right? That seems to be a theme with these fruits, doesn't it? Let's start by being deliberate in prayer and action. Even if our emotions aren't completely in line, we can still control our actions towards others. We rely on the Holy Spirit, through our prayerful petition, to make the necessary adjustments to our hearts and attitudes. But this requires a commitment on our part to pray regularly about this issue, specifically confessing our unkind attitudes and sincerely asking for a change to those attitudes. And a commitment to acting kindly, extending grace, no matter what.
The example is obvious. The verse says "...just as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you." We are to forgive in the same way that God has forgiven us. Totally and completely, with no remembrance of the wrong. Scripture tells us that God has removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west. He does not hold our sins against us but instead extends much-needed grace to us in our sins. We are called to do the same. We are to treat those who have wronged us as if the wrong never happened. That is kindness at it's core and what we are called to do.
Easier said than done, right? That seems to be a theme with these fruits, doesn't it? Let's start by being deliberate in prayer and action. Even if our emotions aren't completely in line, we can still control our actions towards others. We rely on the Holy Spirit, through our prayerful petition, to make the necessary adjustments to our hearts and attitudes. But this requires a commitment on our part to pray regularly about this issue, specifically confessing our unkind attitudes and sincerely asking for a change to those attitudes. And a commitment to acting kindly, extending grace, no matter what.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment