Verse of the Day 8/1

 

Ephesians 4:32Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

 

Today's verse came to me from David Jeremiah's "Turning Point" devotional where he writes, "The Latin phrase lex talionis refers to the "law of retaliation," illustrated by the biblical instruction of "eye for eye, tooth for tooth" (Exodus 21:24). The biblical guideline was meant to limit punishment, not mandate it; and the New Testament suggests a better response to wrongdoing: love and grace instead of retaliation."

We commonly see retaliation in the world around us, whether it be between spouses, siblings, neighbors (like the Hatfield's and McCoy's) or even between and within nations as we see happening in the world today.  What the world needs is more grace and less retaliation.  The Message paraphrase of verse 31 (below) shows us a good place,  a good way to start, "make a clean break" from those acts of retaliation which often starts with words of "cutting, backbiting and profane talk".  These are a prerequisite to what follows in verse 32 of being kind, tenderhearted and forgiving.

 

We may not feel that we have a tendency to retaliate, but consider your words from the last few days.  Is there evidence of this cutting and backbiting or perhaps gossip?  If we see it, as we head towards the weekend, may we "make a clean break" and instead, in the power that Jesus provides, may we be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving to those individuals.  Changing the world starts with our little corner of it.

 

Show love and grace instead of retaliation.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

 

Ephesians 4:32The Message (MSG)

^31-32 Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.