Winners - and Lovers - Forgive!

Ephesians 4:22-32

Paul doesn't mince words in this letter to the church at Ephesus.  These verses hit home:

"Do not give the devil a foothold." (v. 27)
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger..." (v. 31)
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (v. 32)

I am more than happy to be kind and compassionate, and to forgive others.....as long as they return the favor.  Oh, that's not what it says, is it.  How can I get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, when I'm not willing to be kind and compassionate, and forgiving, to all?

And why is this so hard?  Our Lord is the perfect example.  He forgave his accusers, and even while hanging on the cross, dying a painful, agonizing death, he offered the kingdom of heaven to a thief and a murderer.  Yes, he forgave when he had every reason to be angry.

Take a moment, and jot down the names of people for whom it is hard for you to forgive.  People who have mistreated you or a loved one.  People who have cheated you.  People who are hard to love.  Yes, those people.  We all have them.  I'll wait......

OK, I've got my list, too.  Now let's look at these verses again.  "Be kind and compassionate to one another forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."   Substitute your person's name in the 'one another' section.

  "Be kind and compassionate to my person, forgiving my person just as in Christ God forgave me!"

Repeat prayerfully several times.  Ask God to show you concrete ways you can show kindness, compassion, and forgiveness this week to that person.  He will give you opportunities, and who will be blessed?  Of course, you will!

Lord, thank you for the opportunities you will give me this week to be kind, compassionate and forgiving toward those who have hurt and wronged me.  I ask for forgiveness for the times I have been unkind and unforgiving, and I look forward to deepening my faith in this very specific way this week.  Amen.