Forgiveness

Forgiveness

Ephesians: 4:24-5:2

24. and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

25. Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.

26. BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

27. and do not give the devil an opportunity.

28. He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.

29. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

30. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

31. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

32. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

1. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

2. and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

Preaching Note

1. Paul speaks the Word of the day when a community in the Ephesian church is divided and quarreling. He urges them to leave behind strife and discord and become new people built in holiness according to the image of God. He emphasizes that we are one body in the name of God, and advises us to discard false speech and speak truth to our neighbors. He also recommends that even if we are angry, we should put it aside before the end of the day. Then in verse 27, he emphasizes not to give the devil a foothold. The Greek word for the devil is diabolos, which means to divide. The falsehood mentioned by Paul divides relationships between neighbors, while anger destroys them. If we treat our neighbors with falsehood and anger, then our relationships will be divided and destroyed according to the will of the devil.

At that time, people in the Ephesian area were poor, so theft occurred frequently. Paul stops the theft that destroys neighborly relationships and advises them to work with a conscience. He also recommends sharing what they have earned with the poor. He advises to refrain from saying bad things that hurt others, and to speak appropriately when needed for others.

Q1. Have you ever been to fight with your friends?

2. In the next verse, it is recorded that we received the seal. The seal means that our souls are saved because of the sacrifice of Jesus. However, if we are deceived by the devil and cannot overcome falsehood and anger, our souls will fall into evil. Therefore, Paul emphasizes not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God. He advises us to discard the malice, rage, anger, and slander that belong to the devil who divides relationships. And he prays for us to forgive each other in Christ. Just as Adam hid before the call of God, those who have committed wrong in relationships want their wrongs not to be exposed. Therefore, those who have done wrong do not easily seek forgiveness from the other person.

Q2. Have you ever been to ask forgiveness?

3. Despite the fact that the other person does not ask for forgiveness, Christianity often urges Christians to reconcile with those who have wronged them. Forced reconciliation can actually cause anger and create deep resentment in one's heart, causing pain and illness. The devil takes advantage of this and deceives our hearts more cunningly. Reconciliation is a two-way street, and it cannot be achieved without the wrongdoer seeking forgiveness. Therefore, when Paul said to forgive in verse 32, it was not about forcing reconciliation but rather about letting go of the person who causes anger in one's heart. Even if reconciliation cannot be achieved, he hoped that we could free ourselves from malice, anger, noise, and curses by letting go of those who have done wrong to us. If we are free from the emotions that belong to the devil, we can fill our hearts with God's word and become people who emulate God as His children. God's one word is stronger than a hundred words of the devil, and God's word is truer than a hundred words of the devil. True love does not need many words because it is too great and truthful to be measured. If you feel and experience that love, you will naturally practice it. May the empty spaces in your heart be filled with the word of true love from God, and may you become a community of love, where that love can shine forth.

Reconciliation is indeed difficult because asking for forgiveness is not easy. However, through forgiveness, we can let go of the presence that causes anger and pain in our hearts. I hope that we can become a community of love, filled with the word of God, and that His love will shine forth naturally.

Q3. Have you ever been to do reconciliation each other?