Christianity Oasis Forum

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WEDNESDAY APRIL 22


A HAPPY ENDING

READ:
Ephesians 4:32
________________________________________________________________________________________
Be kind to one
another, tender-
hearted, forgiving
one another, even
as God in Christ
forgave you.
________________________________________________________________________________________

A friend told me about the time he was watching football on TV as his young daughter played nearby. Angered by his team's bad play, he grabbed the closest thing and threw it down. His little girl's favorite toy was shattered, along with her heart. My friend immediately embraced his daughter and apologized. He replaced the toy and thought all was well. But he didn't know how much his fury had frightened his 4-year-old, and she didn't know the depth of her pain. In time, however, forgiveness came.

Years later he sent an identical toy to his daughter when she was expecting a baby. She posted a photo of the toy on Facebook with the words, "This gift has a very long story going back to my childhood. It wasn't a happy story then, but it has a happy ending now! Redemption is a beautiful thing. Thanks Grandpa!"

The Bible urges us to avoid angry outbursts by putting on the new self, "which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness" (EPH. 4:24). And if we are the victim of anger, God asks us to "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" (v. 32).

Restored relationships are not easy, but they are possible by the grace of God.

**Lord, my temper can sometimes run hot. Grant me the grace to stop and
think before I act or speak and the grace to apologize when I've hurt
someone. Thank You for the gift of forgiveness. _______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Repentance and forgiveness are the glue that can repair a
broken relationship

**********************************Today's Bible Reading __ Ephesians 4:20-32*******************************
20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 If indeed you
have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the
truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your
former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt
according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit
of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new which was
created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak
truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another.

26 Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on
your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole
steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his
hands what is good, that he may have something to give him
who has need.

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what
is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace
to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,
by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let
all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put
away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ
forgave you.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
In today's passage the apostle Paul brackets
his words of challenge with the phrases "putting away" (v. 25)
and "put away" (v.31). Though they are translated as similar
expressions in English, they are two different words in Greek and
speak of an increasing intensity of action. The word in verse 25
tells us to put off lying, as if taking off a garment and replacing it
with a new one (integrity and truthfulness). In verse 31, however,
it is the challenge to "put away" or to get rid of certain things
once and for all.