AS we look at the picture this week that scripture is brought to our minds “BE YE KIND ONE TO ANOTHER, TENDER HEARTED, FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, EVEN AS GOD FOR CHRIST’S SAKE HATH FORGIVEN YOU.” Eph. 4:3232And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32).
But it carries us much f u rt h e r than simply the thought of kindness which is suggested in the picture.
It is certainly very good that we should show kindness to one another and to animals, but it is well to notice that this verse is given to those who have been forgiven by God for Christ’s sake. In the first place we ought to know our need of forgiveness. Have you, dear young reader, known your great need of forgiveness? Have you thought of your many sins, in thought, and word, and action. God has said to us, “The thought of foolishness is sin”. When we think of that, we must say we have many sins, and how good it is that God has come out to us with forgiveness, and that through Christ Jesus.
God can righteously forgive, because the Lord Jesus Christ took the sinner’s place on Calvary and bore the penalty for all his sins. Can you say, “He bore my sins in His own body on the tree?” If you can, you know what it is to be forgiven; and I trust you know what it is to rejoice in the wondrous goodness of God to provide such a means that you could be forgiven. Then seek to show that kindness to others, and be ready to forgive those who do wrong, and show kindness to them, too.
ML 09/10/1916