"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; be ye followers of God, as dear children" (Ephesians 4:31-32; 5:1).
The Apostle Paul's admonition speaks of an atmosphere in which born again believers are called to live with each other, an environment of kindly good will generated by the attitude of our Lord's own heart.
We are "dear children" to our Heavenly Father. Growing awareness and understanding of this gracious disposition provides the basis for our following Him in such bestowal upon our brothers and sisters in Christ. Indeed, it is difficult to maintain a harsh attitude toward fellow Christians whom we perceive to have offended us when we remember the lavish mercy bestowed upon us by God - "forgiving one another as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
It is a simple truth, but one greatly challenged by our spiritual enemies. We are to continually give forth the kindness we continually receive. "He that believeth on Me, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38). The believer consistently aware and overwhelmed by the kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness of the Lord Jesus is a well wherein His living waters do not stagnate, but rather "spring up into everlasting life" (John 4:14). Yes, we give forth of goodness that which we receive. And we receive so much.
"Freely ye have received, freely give."
(Matthew 10:8)
No comments:
Post a Comment