Message from Scripture: 6/13/2020

Today’s message from Scripture comes from Eph. 4:32; “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

We live in a society where hurt runs deep in people’s lives. We are hurt as a nation, we are hurt as groups of people, we are hurt individually. The hurt can be expressed in feelings, words, and actions. Scripture reveals it’s not just the worldly-minded who are hurt and hurt others, but even in the body of Christ. Barnabas and Paul had a “sharp disagreement” or “contention” over taking John Mark on a second mission effort, which could have reference to an angry dispute. Paul wanted Eudodia and Syntyche to live in harmony (Phil. 4:2), indicating such was not the case with them. He asked an unknown true companion to help them get past whatever was causing the lack of harmony in their lives. Even Jesus’ disciples argued about which one of them was greatest (Luke 9:46).

The way to get past the hurts of life, whatever form they may take, is to remember our hurts cannot compare to the hurt we each have brought to God. Paul reminds us we all have sinned and are in need of forgiveness (Rom. 3:23). Our sins caused God to send Christ to the cross, and Christ to willingly go to the cross, that His blood could wash away our sins. What pain He endured, what humiliation He went through, what a separation from the Father He faced as He bore our sins. We all need forgiveness, as we all need to forgive.

Paul goes on in Eph. 5:1 and tells us to be imitators of God. We have so much to learn, to embrace and to give up, to be like our Lord. His words from the cross touch us all, when He asked the Father, “Forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Father, forgive us all, and help us all be more like You and Your Son. We can change the world, we can change the church, we can change our lives, with kindness, a tender heart, a forgiving spirit. May it begin within each of us. In Jesus' name, amen. Have a great day. God bless.

Robert