April 29, 2025 - Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭31‬-‭32

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT

Lord, we ask for you to help us make this verse a reality. If we look at our lives and the way our decisions have hurt you again and again, it would be easy to understand if you held bitterness, rage, anger or any of the other listed behaviors in this verse towards us. If you chose not to forgive us, it would be very justified. You don’t just see the sin that we do out in the open, but you see every thought and desire that isn’t pleasing to you. You see the sin that we intentionally commit and the sin that we don’t even realize we are committing. You see each time we promise we will do something and don’t, and the times we say we won’t do something again, and yet we do. You see all the things that we make more important than you in our lives. We have rejected you, disobeyed you, forgotten you, sinned against you, betrayed you more times that we could even begin to realize. Yet, you still choose to forgive us and love us unconditionally.

If you can do that for us, how can we not do it for others? We have your love and strength within us, and with your help we can do all things. Help us see people through your eyes. Help us let go of all the behaviors listed in this verse and treat others like you treat us. They might not deserve it, but neither do we. Thank you for how you forgive us. Thank you for how you love us. You are such an amazing God. We are eternally grateful!

In Jesus name, amen.