“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4:32 NLT
Scripture has a lot to say about the way we treat people. If we have been saved by God, and have been shown the mercy and goodness of God, then we ought to show mercy and goodness to other people. Essentially…
…what we believe should determine how we act.
All of us who have received grace freely from God ought to also give grace freely to others. In Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus, he encourages them to be kind and compassionate to others. This idea is spread across all of God’s Word…
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
1 John 4:11 NIV
“…All of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”
1 Peter 3:8 NIV.
“You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.”
Luke 6:36 NLT
Showing other people compassion is one of the primary ways that we can communicate God’s love to other people. If we fail to love other people, we also fail to show them God’s love.
Paul also says we should forgive other people in our life, just as we have already been forgiven by Jesus. Forgiveness and compassion go together. When we do not forgive others, we fail to show them the same compassionate love that Jesus has shown us. A love that, as it suffered for us and because of us, still allowed Jesus to say, “Father forgive them—because they don’t know what they’re doing.” We ought to be careful that we do not deny others the same love we’ve been freely given.
If you want to learn more about how to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving toward others, you can read through the stories of Jesus’ life and ministry found in the books Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
But right now, take some time to think about the people in your own life who you may have the opportunity to show compassion to. Is there someone in need who you can help? Is there a person you can forgive? Is there someone who you can encourage?
Today is a great day to show people the same love, compassion, and forgiveness that you have received.
