Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.
Ah. Another AWANA memorization verse from my childhood. And another that was nothing more than words until later in my life when understanding came. Unlike yesterday’s verse, this one has been harder to do though. I can confess my sins and make changes to my actions. But being kind and compassionate and forgiving others can be challenging, especially when it is with people who have hurt or wronged us. It is so much easier to play the victim card and feel we are justified in our responses.
Yet that is not what we are called to do. We are instructed to show kindness. We are told to be compassionate towards others. It doesn’t matter if our heart cries out, “But why?” We do it because Christ did it. We do it because we are to be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1). We do it because we know it is the right thing to do, even if our minds try to convince us otherwise.
We are forgiven by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Therefore, we should extend that grace to others. We were undeserving, yet received grace. They are the same. Deserved or not, we forgive because we, ourselves, have been forgiven.
Let go of your hurt and anger. Release the resentment you feel. Relinquish the grudge you hold on to. You will find there is freedom in forgiveness. It is as much for your good as it is for theirs. Stop withholding your forgiveness and extend the same grace you have received to them. Move away from the bitterness and resentment you feel and step into the freedom of forgiveness.
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