“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” 

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In Ephesians 4, Paul reminds the Christians of how they need to act. This instruction begins in verse 17. The brethren needed to be reminded about what it means to live for the Lord, and Paul contrasted this with how they used to live before becoming Christians. For further study, read Colossians 3:13. This is parallel to Ephesians 4:32.

 

As we “spotlight” Ephesians 4:32, we see this verse teaching us lessons that will help us daily if we will live by it. First, be kind to one another. We live in a world that teaches selfishness and cruelty. Yet, be kind. We need to be “tenderhearted,” not hard-hearted. Tender hearts please God and are blessed by God. Hard hearted people suffer God's wrath. 

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One of the hardest commands men must obey is to forgive one another. This is something many do not wish to do because they enjoy holding grudges! Yet, if we are going to be right with God and see Heaven one day, we need to forgive as Christ forgave. This was taught by Peter in 1 Peter 3:8-9. The parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35) was also teaching the same lesson as Ephesians 4:32. 

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Are we ready to accept the challenge of Ephesians 4:32? I pray we are. We will be the better people for it when we live this passage. 

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Jarrod Jacobs