Just As In Christ

Daily Scripture Threshing for Today, Friday, June 6, 2025

Today's Text: Ephesians 4:31-32

Key Verse: Ephesians 4:32 (NIV): “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Today, we are blessed with a powerful passage that instructs believers on how to live in Christian community. The core idea of "just as in Christ" in these verses is that our forgiveness of others should be patterned after, and empowered by, God's forgiveness of us through Jesus Christ. Let's break it down: Firstly, in verse 31, we are told to "get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." This verse clarifies all negative behaviors and attitudes that Christians are to put away in order to live a life of and in Christ. Those things are harmful to relationships and grieve the Holy Spirit. They are characteristics of the "old self" that believers are to discard.

Then verse 32 then gives the positive commands that are to replace the negative ones, admonishing us to "be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." As such Christ's forgiveness serves as both the motive and the model for this new way of living. Or, doesn't the magnitude of God's forgiveness for our countless sins against Him far outweighs any wrong done to us by another person? Of course, yes! Therefore, God's forgiveness "in Christ" provides the standard and example: a forgiveness that didn't come cheap; it required the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross to atone for our sins.

Yes, our forgiveness of others won't cost us the same, but it still requires effort, humility, and letting go of our right to hold grudges. We didn't earn God's forgiveness; it was a gift of His grace. In the same way, we should forgive others not because they necessarily deserve it, but because we have received undeserved grace ourselves. In essence, Paul is telling us to live out our new identity in Christ. Because we have been transformed by His forgiveness, we are now capable of and called to show that same kind of grace and forgiveness to those around us, especially within the Christian community. It's about letting the reality of Christ's work in our lives shape our interactions with others.

Unfortunately, stubbornness, self-righteousness, and a desire for revenge often prevent our generation from experiencing this profound blessing. Forgiving requires humility and a willingness to surrender our right to retribution. It demands that we strive to offer grace and compassion, mirroring Christ's example. When more Christians genuinely forgive, we will begin to see deeper healing and a more profound impact on the lives of others.

Action Steps: Be intentional about identifying any unforgiveness you may be holding onto and actively choose to release it. This could be as simple as praying for someone who has wronged you or reaching out to mend a fractured relationship. When confronted with an offense, strive to recall God's immense forgiveness towards you in Christ. Pray for those you struggle to forgive, asking God to soften your heart and enable you to extend grace.

Quote for the Day: "Just as the sun melts ice, forgiveness melts bitterness and paves the way for healing and new beginnings." (Simon Olatunji #quotablequote)

Let Us Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the incredible gift of forgiveness in Christ. Help me to truly understand the depth of Your grace and empower me to extend that same grace to others. Give me the humility to forgive as You have forgiven me, that I may be an instrument of Your peace and reconciliation — in Jesus's most glorious name. Amen.

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Thank you for being part of this daily journey of faith. For additional reading on today's meditation, read: Colossians 3:13, Matthew 6:14-15, and Luke 17:3-4.

With all my love and prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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