“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32.

The purpose of the letter to the Ephesians is to bring Christ’s church to a full unity in love for one another, it also reveals more of the character of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The book of Ephesians should be taught from the pulpit of every church in the world.

“And be kind to one another…” Ephesians 4:32a.

“Then a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, ‘If You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Then Jesus, moved with compassion, put out His hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.” Mark 1:40-42.

A small church I went to years ago was having an evening service one Sunday, and while it was in full swing a young man came through the door and told them he was hungry.

Rather than tell him that he was rude, or to sit down until the services were over the pastor went over to him and asked him to step outside where he offered to take him to a nearby restaurant and buy him a meal, another man offered to take him while the pastor continued the services.

I never saw the young man again, but I hope that he felt the kindness of Jesus through those men.

God wants us to exhibit the kindness of Jesus to those in our church and to all men.

“…tenderhearted, forgiving one another…” Ephesians 4:32b.

Tenderhearted means compassionate. In some places it is rendered pitiful, as in having pity on someone. Tenderhearted, literally “of good heartedness” Vines Expository Dictionary.

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’” Matthew 9:35-38.

God wants us to be tenderhearted and Jesus set the pattern during His arrest when Peter cut off an ear.

“And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, ‘Permit even this.’ And He touched his ear and healed him.” Luke 22:50-51.

“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8-9.

“…forgiving one another…” Ephesians 4:32b.

“And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’ And they divided His garments and cast lots [for them].” Luke 23:33-34.

Here Jesus sets the example of forgiveness under the most extreme circumstances of loving your enemies. We also are to emulate Him in forgiveness and love.

Beginning first of all with our fellow Christians that there might be peace in our churches and among brethren. Then also among those around us that the love of Jesus can be seen among men everywhere.

“…forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32c.

While we have examined “forgiving one another” the following phrase adds a depth that takes the breath away. “… just as God in Christ also forgave you.” We are being told that we should forgive one another in the same manner that God in Christ forgave us, absolutely freely and eternally.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.” Psalm 103:12-13.

Too often when the Christian forgives someone of an offense they will regurgitate the so-called forgiven offense when they are once again offended by the same person. This is not forgiveness.

Offenses must be forgiven and forgotten, put away and never brought up again. Otherwise, they will haunt us for the rest of our lives.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2 New American Standard Bible.

Seeing Jesus taken from godisrevealed.com posted on 12-26-24 ck.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version, copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission, all rights reserved.