Verse of the Day 10/2

 

Ephesians 4:31-32  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. ³² Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Today's verse comes at the very end of the New Testament read through the Bible plan for this day.  I would think that all of us would like to see more peace in our world.  The our world that I'm referring to can be thought of our individual world, as well as our families, churches, communities, country and the globe.  We should realize that peace is not just the absence of war and hostility but that it is a matter of the heart.  The verse mentions the things that show what prevents true peace from happening, from having a place in our hearts.  If peace is not in our hearts it won't be present in our relationships.

 

Let's take a look at the words that Paul uses to describe what comes out of a heart which lacks peace - bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice.  Wow!!  John MacArthrur expands on this in his commentary.  "Bitterness reflects a smoldering resentment.  Wrath has to do with rage, the passion of the moment.  Anger is more internal, deep hostility.  Clamor is the outcry of strife out of control. Slander is evil speaking.  Malice is the general Greek term for evil, the root of all vices." 

 

Hebrews 4:12 said that God's word is sharper than a two edged sword.  These words should "cut" us as we read them.  Do we see any of these items in ourselves, do they come out in our actions?  We should do our best, no, we should ask God to remove them from us, to give us  the ability to "make a clean break" (The Message) and make us fit for himself.

 

If we want "peace in our world" it will have its roots in that "clean break" and it will show in our relationships in our actions - being gentle, sensitive and forgiving (v.32The Message)

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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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 4:30-32The Message (MSG)

³⁰ Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.

^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.