Ephesians 4:31-32 – Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
“Christian faith transforms identity because it transforms relations… It is no accident that the New Testament lists of sins to avoid are lists of community-destroying acts and the lists of virtues to embrace are lists of community-enhancing acts.” [Snodgrass, Who God Says You Are, 93]
It’s important to note that these verses takes place within the body of Christ. It is in community that we learn to live as imitators of God, living out our genuine faith. We are not to simply get rid of our old ways, but made completely new in how we relate to one another. Let’s pray that our relationships with one another will become more authentic as we imitate God, reflecting and embodying God’s love and that it will overflow onto others outside our church as well.
Let us worship to the song “Lord I Need You” by Matt Maher (Click here).
– DW