Love and Forgiveness

In Ephesians 4:32-5:2 we find a wonderful admonition from The Holy Spirit to the Ephesian Christians that has so much to do with love. As Paul begins he speaks of the negative prohibitions and then, as usual, he ends with love. If we, as God’s people, really have the desire to perfect our love, we will take these words to heart. Read these words: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God..”(Ephesians 4:31-5:2 NIV).

Too often in Christ’s Body there are harsh and bitter dealings we have with one another and we are told that these are to be replaced by kindness and forgiveness as we walk in love. Peter also admonishes newborn Christians,
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,” (1 Peter 2:1,2 NIV).

John said, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.” (1 John 3:14,15 NIV).
There is no place for grudges, no place for malice, no place for ill will and no place for bitterness in our lives. We are to imitate God and the Lord Jesus Christ in our love and forgiveness. Many have claimed to forgive someone of something but have yet to prove it by showing love. It is easy to say “I love”, but to show it can be difficult. To say “I forgive” and walk away and DO nothing is contradictory to calling our self a Christian. If you love Me”, Jesus said, “keep My commandments..” Love and forgiveness go hand in hand. We prove the one by demonstrating the other. God bless...