Daily Scripture Threshing for Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Today’s Text: Ephesians 4:25-32
Key Verse: Ephesians 4:32 (NASB) — “Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
Is it just a coincidence that the English word "kind" derives from the root, kinned, a Latin word that signifies the affection that exists among hundreds? Certainly not! There is a natural desire to show kindness to men and women placed in our lives as extended selves, while we fence others out. Fencing people out does not represent the spirit of Christ. People may not always good to you; they may not always reciprocate the same warmth you bequeath towards them; but as Christians, the necessity to act graciously towards others has been laid upon us. Following Christ produces a genuine desire to make others happy in our spirit.
It is in this sense that Apostle Paul enjoins us here. He wants us to live kind lives. And he clarifies the nature of the kindness God requires of us. It must be patterned in the manner of God. We already know that God is not just kind to “family and friends.” But is "kind [even] to the unthankful and evil." (Luke 6:35) We may not all be kindreds in the flesh; but we are all brethren in the spirit. When we are kind-hearted to others without favoritism or prejudices, we are shining the light of Jesus Christ to their darkened lives and world. The word compassionate in our version has been rendered tenderhearted by many versions of scripture. This makes it even clearer that a sense of godly sorrow that is moved to rise up to the miseries, shortcomings and infirmities of others us required of us.
God wants us all to "look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." (Philippians 2:4) This is a challenge for all of us to be ready at all times to soothe the heart of people who sorrow. We must do it in the spirit of Christ. We may not be able to remove their miseries, but rather than add to them, we are to be kindly affectionate towards them in such a way that we are able to solve the doubts, sharpen their countenance, and shine the light of Jesus Christ, our example.
Quote for the Day: “Christianity that touches people’s purse but fails to feel their pulse; which feels their hands and not their hearts is an obscurity to the gospel light of Christ.” (Simon Olatunji)
Prayer: Gentle Savior, help me to always let your the same mind be in me that is also in Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
With all my love and prayers,
Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, PhD
The Darling Bishop (DaBishop),
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