For Reading and Meditation:      Ephesians 4:25-32There is a price to pay for our desire to grab at easy answers and that price is "trivialisation". Trivialisation is the acceptance of explanations that ignore the difficult questions of life in order to experience relief from confusion. I have no hesitation in saying that this is a curse of the modern Church. One way trivialisation reveals itself is in the acceptance, by so many, of the view that the major cause of Christians' problems is demonic activity. Demonic activity can be a cause of problems (especially in those who have dabbled in the occult) but it is not the chief cause. The New Testament teaches us the importance of spiritual warfare, but it has much more to say about the influence of our carnal nature on the rise and development of problems. In the early days of my ministry, when people came to me with problems I would frequently engage in the practice of rebuking the devil, and those prayers often brought great relief. But the mistake I made was not to sit down with the people who came to me and deal with the beneath-the-surface problems which had given Satan a foothold in their lives. By making it appear that Satan was the only problem I trivialised the issue. It's a lot easier (and less confusing) to sit down with a person and "take authority" over Satan than it is to think through together the tough and perplexing issues that lie beneath the surface, and then work towards giving some Biblical perspectives. But that is demanded of us if we are to help each other towards maturity.O Father, forgive us for the ways in which we trivialise Your truth in order to avoid facing the tough issues. It feels good to replace confusion with certainty, but help us to be sure that the certainty is Your certainty. In Jesus' Name. Amen.<div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>2 Peter 1:1-6</li><li>1 Corinthians 14:20</li><li>1 Corinthians 13:11</li><li>Hebrews 5:14</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What are we to add to our faith?</li><li>What was Paul's admonition to the Corinthians?</li></ul></div></div>

Let a little light into your soul every day with this wonderful devotional from English pastor Selwyn Hughes.

Every Day Light with Selwyn Hughes

" and do not give the devil a foothold." (v. 27) 

For Reading and Meditation:      Ephesians 4:17-32We must spend another day considering whether or not it is a condition of our salvation that we first forgive those who have sinned against us. We said yesterday that to believe this contradicts the teaching that we are saved by grace, through faith. What, then, is Scripture getting at when it seems to encourage us to forgive in order that we might be forgiven? I think it refers to the matter of realised forgiveness. I know many Christians, as I am sure you do, who, although they have been forgiven by God, are never really sure of it. And one of the major reasons for this is that they have never taken the steps to get rid of the resentment they hold in their hearts toward others. The problem they experience in not feeling forgiven is not God's fault, but their own. He has forgiven them on the basis of their own personal repentance, but His forgiveness is unable to reach the centre of their spirit and dissolve their feelings of guilt because they harbour an unforgiving attitude toward others. C.S. Lewis said something similar in relation to praise. He explained that we do not really receive something unless we give thanks for it. The very action of saying "thank you", and meaning it, opens up the spirit to a true sense of appreciation. In giving thanks, something moves inside the centre of our spirits and allows the wonder of what has been done for us to invade us. It is the same with mercy and forgiveness. When we adopt these attitudes toward others, we not only express mercy and forgiveness - we experience it.O Father, I see that You have fashioned me in my inner being for mercy and forgiveness, and when I demonstrate it, I allow it to invade me to my deepest depths. I am so grateful. Amen.<div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>Luke 17:1-4</li><li>Luke 23:34</li><li>Mark 11:25</li><li>Colossians 3:13</li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>How often should we forgive?</li><li>How did Jesus set us an example?</li></ul></div></div>

"' forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (v. 32) 

A revolutionary insight! The gifts in Ephesians 4:1-32 are given to perfect the saints for the work of the ministry. As soon as the saints can carry on, the gift can move on.This means that success in Christian work is working one's self out of a job in the shortest possible time, then looking for new worlds to conquer.This is what Paul did. He went to Thessalonica, for instance, preached to the Jews for three Sabbaths, and left behind a functioning assembly. No doubt that was an exception as far as speed in the establishing of a work was concerned. The longest Paul ever stayed in one place at a time was two years. That was at Ephesus.God never intended that His saints should be perpetually dependent on any of the gifts mentioned. The gifts are expendable. If the saints remain professional sermon-tasters, never becoming involved in the work of service, they never develop spiritually the way they should and the world will never be evangelized the way God intended.William Dillon said that a successful foreign missionary never has a foreign successor. That should be equally true of workers in the homeland - when the worker's task is completed, the saints themselves should take over, not start looking for another pulpiteer.Too often we preachers look at our position as a lifetime appointment. We reason that others couldn't do the work as well. We excuse our permanence by the fact that the attendance would drop if we left. We complain that others can't do things right and that they're not dependable. But the fact is that they have to learn. And in order to learn they have to be given opportunities. There must be training, delegation of responsibilities, and evaluation of progress.When the saints reach the point where they feel they can carry on without a particular preacher or teacher, that's no reason for him to sulk or nurse wounded feelings. It's cause for celebration. The worker is released to go where he's more needed.It's a bad scene when the work of God is permanently built around a man, no matter how gifted he is. His great aim should be to multiply his effectiveness by building up the saints to the point where they are no longer dependent on him. In a world like ours, he never needs to be without work in other places.

With reverence, humor and skill, William MacDonald wove a daily devotional tapestry that challenges the reader to think deeply and Biblically, and apply God's Word to their lives.

Truths to Live By - One Day at a Time

"For the equipping of the saints for the work of service," (Ephesians 4:12, NASB)

There is a definite order to be followed in connection with Scriptural forgiveness. If we would follow this order we would save ourselves a lot of headaches and heartaches.The first thing to do when you have been wronged is to forgive that person in your heart. You don't tell him yet that he has been forgiven, but by forgiving him in your heart, you leave the matter between the Lord and him. This prevents your gastric juices from turning into sulphuric acid, and saves you from other horrible physical and emotional disorders.Next you go to the brother and rebuke him (Lu. 17:3). Instead of blabbing to others about how you have been wronged, "Go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone" (Matthew 18:15). Try to contain the problem as much as possible, that is, try to keep it as private as you can.If he does not confess and ask forgiveness, then go to him with one or two witnesses (Matthew 18:16). This provides adequate Scriptural testimony as to the offender's attitude.If he is still unbending, then you take the matter to the assembly, accompanied by the witnesses. If he refuses to listen to the judgment of the assembly, then, of course, he is dis-fellowshiped (Matthew 18:17).But if at any point during this process, he repents, then you forgive him (Lu. 17:3). You have already forgiven him in your heart, but now you administer forgiveness to him. Here it is important not to gloss over the matter. Don't say "Oh that's alright. You really didn't do anything wrong." Rather say, "I very gladly forgive you. Now the whole matter is closed. Let's get down and pray together."The shame of having to confess and repent may deter him from wronging you again. But even if he repeats his sin and then repents, you must forgive him. Even if he does it seven times in one day and repents seven times, you must forgive him - whether you think he's sincere or not (Lu. 17:4).We must never forget that we have been forgiven millions. We must not hesitate to forgive others for what amounts to a few dollars, figuratively speaking (Matthew 18:23-35).

"And be ye kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32 NASB)

Not courteous merely; for courtesy is but one expression of kindness. Not kind to this or that choice one, with whom you have a facility of sympathy; but generally. Be ye kind; there are few words in our language more endowed with meaning than this. It has both a soul and a body. It signifies both a state of the heart, and the manifestations of that state, in acts, words, tones, looks. Some words look more to outward acts; others more to inward equalities. We cannot say to which this most looks. It has two hands so to speak, and grasps both ideas refusing to let either go. This word claims also the whole heart. Kindness is not a quality of one's nature: but it is the aspect of one's nature. It is not something to be introduced into our character; but our character is to be baptized in it, penetrated with it. How this command expresses the kindness of God! He is not satisfied with extending over you all the day long an azure canopy of love, with making his sun run for your pleasure his daily course through the skies; with causing the breath of his winds to visit you, his flowers to bloom for you, his fruits to ripen, and ten thousand other ministries of his to wait upon you; he is not satisfied with the proof of his kindness given in the knowledge of Christ communicated to you; but he gives a solemn charge concerning you to every human being that comes near the throne of grace, - a charge to be kind to you. And when they ask, how much is intended by this command, God refers them to the signal proof of his own kindness, as the example that may guide them in their kindness to you. If you say, how can I be kind to those whose characters are unamiable, and the look of whose soul is not inviting? By looking at God over their shoulder. Remember that you are pleasing him in showing kindness to them. Your goodness extendeth not to the sovereign of the skies; you cannot be kind to him; but your love to him whom you have not seen may fitly express itself, it must do so, in kindness to your brother whom you have seen.

A daily devotional written by a Baptist Missionary to India, Reverend George Bowen (1816-1888) over 150 years ago.

Bowen's Daily Meditations

 " Be ye kind one to another." - Ephesians 4:32 

The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth. Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love. § Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. § The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. §  Love suffers long and is kind. In due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. § Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Daily Light on the Daily Path or Daily Light is a Christian daily devotional scripture reading published by Bagster & Sons about 1875. It has been reprinted continually since then. It consists of brief groupings of scripture passages which speak to prominent Biblical themes—two themes (morning and evening) for each day of the year. It appends no commentary, but simply allows scripture to speak for itself.

Morning Daily Light

 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. 

Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. § Whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. Jesus of Nazareth … went about doing good. § Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. The meekness and gentleness of Christ. § In lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. § Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. § [Look] unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. 

I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight. And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. § I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. § Your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. § God in Christ forgave you. § That He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean. § They shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood.

 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. § Above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” § Love covers all sins. Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. § Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return. § Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles. § Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. § If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. § Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

 Walk in love. 

The love of Christ … passes knowledge. § Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. § You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. § Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. § Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. § [Bear] with one another, and [forgive] one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you. § For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. § Christ … suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. You also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. § We also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. 

I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more. § Who can forgive sins but God alone? I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins. § Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity. § Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity? God in Christ forgave you. § The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. § Sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace … Having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

 Your sins are forgiven you. 

If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother … “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” § And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. § Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you. The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

Evening Daily Light

 Do not let the sun go down on your wrath. 

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. § Your Father in heaven … makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. § Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. § Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart. § The love of Christ compels us. Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

 Your lovingkindness is before my eyes. 

Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” § “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?” And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses. § Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. § You … He has made alive … having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us … He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. § Even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

 Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 

32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Be kind and compassionate to one another,<cr>1</cr> forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.<cr>2</cr>

Ephesians 4:32

 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another,   forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  

From Wikipedia: 

The New International Version (NIV) is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1978 by Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society). The NIV was published to meet the need for a modern translation done by Bible scholars using the earliest, highest quality manuscripts available. Of equal importance was that the Bible be expressed in broadly understood modern English.

The NIV is published by Zondervan in the United States and Hodder & Stoughton in the UK. The NIV was updated in 1984 and 2011 and has become one of the most popular and best-selling modern translations.

OT: Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia; additional sources;
NT: UBS Greek New Testament; Novum Testamentum Graece; additional sources;

New International Version

 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

 Be kind and compassionate to one another,   forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  

Bible Verse of the Day

August 2, 2023

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

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