Ephesians 4:32 - Forgiveness.
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) Be kind and
compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just
as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 (NLT) Instead, be kind to
each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
INTRODUCTION
This is Christ's law of forgiveness as
taught in the Gospels (Matthew 6:14, 15; 18:35;
Mark 11:25). We also see it in the Lord's Prayer
- "Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those
who sin against us" (Luke 11:4). God forgives
us, not because we forgive others, but solely
because of his great mercy. As we come to understand
his mercy, however, we will want to be like him.
Having received forgiveness, we will pass it on to
others. Those who are unwilling to forgive have not
become one with Christ, who was willing to forgive
even those who crucified him (Luke 23:34). [Life
Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
Be kind to each other. tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has
forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 NLT
Some people abandon the path of
forgiveness because they perceive it to be impossibly
steep. So let's be realistic about the act.
Forgiveness does not pardon, excuse, or ignore the
offense. Forgiveness is not necessarily
reconciliation. A reestablished relationship with the
transgressor is not essential or always even possible.
Forgiveness is simply the act of changing
your attitude toward the offender; its moving
from a desire to harm toward an openness to be at
peace. A step in the direction of forgiveness is
also a decisive step toward happiness.
It's no wonder then that the flotilla of
'one another' scriptures includes one named the
USS Forgiveness. "Be kind to each other,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through
Christ has forgiven."
It was not enough for the apostle Paul to
say, "Forgive one another as your conscience
dictates." Or "to the degree that you feel
comfortable. No, Paul did what he loved to do: he used
Jesus as our standard. Forgive others as Christ
forgave you. [You Can Count On God by Max Lucado]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Ephesians 4:31, 32 - Forgiveness.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210914-0901.html
Ephesians 4:32 - The Grace of Forgiveness.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2009/20090814-0844.html
Ephesians 4:32 - The Grace of Kindness and
Compassion.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2009/20090813-1021.html
Matthew 6:14, 15 - Forgiveness Is Essential.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210808-1044.html
Matthew 6:14, 15 - More Thoughts on
Forgiveness.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210809-0930.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
