The Hardest Part

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.   Ephesians 4:32

An account has been told of oil magnate John D. Rockefeller, who built an empire out of Standard Oil. His success and riches set him apart from even his highest executives, from whom he demanded high performance. It is said that one of those executives made a tragic two-million-dollar mistake one day, and word of it spread quickly among the junior executives, all of whom made themselves scarce lest they had to witness the wrath of Mr. Rockefeller. One, however, had an appointment he could not cancel with the “big boss.” He trembled as he entered the office where Mr. Rockefeller looked up from his paperwork and said, “I suppose you’ve heard of the two-million-dollar mistake your friend made. Well, I’ve been looking over his good qualities, the things he has done for the company in the past, and, although he cost us a lot of money today, he has good qualities and I think we should forgive him for this human error, don’t you?” 

Have you been in the same shoes as any of those three men—of Mr. Rockefeller whose fortunes had been diminished, of the man who made the serious mistake, or of the friend who was asked about the potential for forgiveness? 

Today’s verse speaks of being kind to one another, being tender-hearted, and being forgiving. The hardest is having the spirit of forgiveness at the moment when bitterness is the strong, natural reaction. However, it is always better to forgive than to let bitterness eat at you. 

You may have been wronged in the past which could lead to resentment that shows itself in rage, sarcasm, or unkind remarks. Child of God, you have been forgiven much; it is time for you to do the same. Pray for governing officials to put aside the spirit of division, rancor, unkindness, and unforgiveness. Pray that they would seek forgiveness for themselves and also that they would be quick to forgive others. 

Today’s Verse: Ephesians 4:32

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Matthew 18:23-35

23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” 

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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