The Weekly Word - A Devotion for the Week of August 28
Showing others kindness is not always easy, but we are called to love and forgive others even when we don’t feel like it.
In Ephesians 4, specifically verses 17 through 32, Paul writes about living a new life with Christ. He tells the Ephesians in verse 17 that they “must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.” When you become a Christian, you leave your old ways behind and attempt to act and think as Jesus would. Paul mentions that our “former manner of life is corrupt through deceitful desires” and urges us to “put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Whether you grew up in a Christian home or just started following Christ last week, we are all called to treat others with kindness and act wisely when it comes to talking to others. So often our anger can result in our hurting those around us. What’s interesting is that Paul does not say do not be angry – instead, he says, “Be angry and do not sin.” Even Jesus got angry, but the actions resulting from His anger were not sinful.
Showing kindness amidst malicious feelings is difficult and takes practice. Paul tells us to put all negative feelings away from us, and instead build others up with our words. We should treat others the way God has treated us—with love and compassion, so we can give people a taste of the Holy Spirit.
We have the opportunity to be God’s vessels and treat others with a tender heart. Let’s live each day in gratitude that we have a God who loves and cares for us so we can do the same for those around us.