In Ephesians 4:31-32 the Church at Ephesus is instructed to put away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking and malice.  These terms represent the progressive state of a deteriorating relationship which eventually results in revenge and other forms of destruction. Even as the Ephesians are told to put away this destructive behavior they are instructed to be kind and tenderhearted, forgiving one another.    The motivation for this change is “even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

This was not a new command but rather a continuation of the earlier teaching of Jesus.  When teaching his disciples to pray Jesus said “and forgive us our sins for we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us” (Luke 11:4).  Further, in the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant in Matthew 18:21-35, when the servant who had been forgiven a great debt cast into prison one who owed him a little, the lord called him wicked and delivered him to the tormentors (vs. 34). Verse 35 says “so likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses”.

Are we withholding our forgiveness?  Let’s change that today.