EPISODE 451 – BE GRACIOUS TO OTHERS

BE GRACIOUS TO OTHERS

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” 

Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV)

It is easy for people to receive the gospel and be overwhelmed with joy when it is ministered to them.

Some people find it easy to accept the reality of God’s forgiveness and to appropriate it even in other areas of their lives and living.

These people are only gracious to themselves but become voices of condemnation to others. They mark and keep records of the wrongs others do.

Apostle Paul admonished the Church in his epistle that they get rid of bitterness, rage, anger and every form of malice (Ephesians 4:31).

He then continued with how every believer should be towards one another, as mentioned in the opening verse:

“…be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32 NKJV)

You don’t have to be an accuser, but be kind and tenderhearted.
You don’t have to be seeking revenge, but instead be forgiving.

And he clearly showed the standard of forgiveness.

“…forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

The forgiveness you demonstrate must be founded on Christ’s unconditional love and His unending waterfall of forgiveness.

Please note: You don’t forgive others so that God will forgive you. God has already forgiven you. God’s forgiveness is according to Christ’s love, not your self-effort.

The reality and inheritance of the gospel is not only applicable to you but to all the saints in Christ.

Just as Christ died for you and gave you His forgiveness, He also died and has forgiven the worst of all sinners.

This is to say that, as you have received the grace of our Lord Jesus, be gracious to one another as He is gracious unto you.

You don’t deal with people based on how you feel and how wrong you think they are but according to how Christ has loved you.

Your graciousness to others is not according to your temper, likes and dislikes. It has to be according to the patience and lovingkindness of Jesus.

This is the true evidence that Christ lives in you.

Shalom