Be forgiving and compassionate to one another

21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:21-32)

We must be kind,compassionate, and forgiving. This is how we will live in God's kingdom. Everyone will be kind, compassionate, and forgiving. That starts right here in this life. How will be know how to live in God's kingdom after we die,if we don't learn how to do it while we are here alive on Earth? This is God's kingdom as well as the afterlife is
God's kingdom.
We are to learn to live in God's kindgom now. Jesus came with the message that "the kingdom of God is at hand", meaning, that this is the kingdom of God. We don't have to wait until we die to join the kingdom. Jesus came to show us the tools of kingdom living.
In this passage from Scriptures, Paul tells us to refrain from being angry with one another. We must be forgiving, as God is forgiving of us. Who of us has not done something to anger another. Who of us has not done something that we know will disappoint God? When we do wrong to one another, we wish to be forgiven. We want God to be kind and compassionate and forgiving of our human weaknesses. Yet, we forget that we also have a responsibility to forgive those who have been unkind to us.
Do we forgive others as easily as we ask forgiveness from God? Do we expect God to forgive us and have no understanding that we need to forgive others? Do we live a double standard of compassion, kindness, and forgiveness? Do we feel that where we deserve forgiveness and compassion, others do not deserve these things?
We should not ask for that which we are unwilling to give ourselves. We must gain an awareness of our own faults, transgressions, hurts, and unkindness. We must be willing to give to others the same things we desire for ourselves. We must look to God's goodness and kindness for us, to understand how we need to treat others.
Kingdom living requires us to go beyond our weaknesses, with the help of God, and become forgiving and compassionate of others, as God is forgiving and compassionate of us. It is only in this way do we truly image God to none another. So, when we think that we cannot forgive someone for injuring us, just think what would happen if God took the same attitude.

Peace and love,

Sue


"Then Jesus said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me". (Luke 9:23)