9/10 Ephesians 4:32

32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.


As God has been toward us in Christ Jesus, so we are to be toward others. Think of the abundant and complete forgiveness you have received through Jesus' sacrifice. It isn't as if God has it in a lockbox to bring out the next time you fall off the rails. God never says, "You did it again!" He forgives so completely that He never brings it up again (Micah 7:19). That is how we are to be to one another. Jesus even gave us a parable to remind us the enormity of the forgiveness we have received and His expectation for us to forgive others (Matthew 18:21-35).

There are other ways in which God expects us to be toward others as He has been toward us. Kindness should be our attitude toward everyone, for God has been so kind to us. He has been tenderhearted toward us, too. And aren't you glad that is the case? Then that is how we are to be toward others.

God expects us to pass on to others what we have received. When we don't pass on those good things we've received, we are acting in an ungrateful way and taking God's goodness for granted. He will most likely discipline us to help us see what we are doing. When that happens, we often ask God why He is not being as kind as before. He is being kind enough to help us see what we are doing.

Consider: Are you giving out what you have received from God?