Forgive One Another

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

It may seem strange to realize this, but this verse is part of a letter that was written to a church, a body of baptized believers, Christians.  We Christians need some reminders from time to time. It is a fact of human nature that we are going to be done wrong from time to time.  And, guess what, occasionally we are the ones doing the wrong.

Rather than retaliating when we are treated badly, we need to practice sympathy, compassion and affection.  When someone wrongs us we need to be forgiving as God has forgiven us. Before you explode in anger when you have suffered mistreatment, think of the cross of Christ, the lashes on His back, the revilings, the accusations, the yanking out of His beard and the crown of thorns on His brow.  Think of the nails in His hands and feet as He was nailed to the cross. You and I have never been treated like that.  His prayer from the cross was, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Let us practice Christ-like forgiveness when we are wronged.