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Be kind to one another, ... forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
Read: Ephesians 4:24-32
Is it possible to measure a Christian's spiritual maturity? Certainly we cannot judge it by the length or even the content of one's prayers. Too much public praying is done for its effect on the "listeners" instead of the "Listener." Even the generosity of one's giving is not an infallible test of spirituality, for it too may be for personal recognition or easing a guilty conscience.
Perhaps the surest test is the ability to forgive. Is it hard to forgive a person who has offended us? When we look to Jesus as our example, how are we doing? The more we become like Him, the easier it will be to forgive others. When we think of how much He has forgiven us, we should be willing in turn to forgive others as God in Christ has forgiven us. (Ephesians 4:32)
British pastor and evangelist John Wesley (1703-1791) was traveling with General James Oglethorpe, who was angry with one of his subordinates. The man came to the general and humbly asked for forgiveness, but he was gruffly told, "I never forgive!" Wesley looked the general in the eye and said, "Then I hope, sir, that you never sin." Would you want God to forgive you in the same way you forgive others? Think about it.
When it seems you can't forgive, remember how much you've been forgiven.
I found a little remedy
To ease the life we live
And make each day a happier one:
It is the word "forgive."
Read: Ephesians 4:24-32
Is it possible to measure a Christian's spiritual maturity? Certainly we cannot judge it by the length or even the content of one's prayers. Too much public praying is done for its effect on the "listeners" instead of the "Listener." Even the generosity of one's giving is not an infallible test of spirituality, for it too may be for personal recognition or easing a guilty conscience.
Perhaps the surest test is the ability to forgive. Is it hard to forgive a person who has offended us? When we look to Jesus as our example, how are we doing? The more we become like Him, the easier it will be to forgive others. When we think of how much He has forgiven us, we should be willing in turn to forgive others as God in Christ has forgiven us. (Ephesians 4:32)
British pastor and evangelist John Wesley (1703-1791) was traveling with General James Oglethorpe, who was angry with one of his subordinates. The man came to the general and humbly asked for forgiveness, but he was gruffly told, "I never forgive!" Wesley looked the general in the eye and said, "Then I hope, sir, that you never sin." Would you want God to forgive you in the same way you forgive others? Think about it.
When it seems you can't forgive, remember how much you've been forgiven.
I found a little remedy
To ease the life we live
And make each day a happier one:
It is the word "forgive."
