Ephesians 4:30-32 Be Kind!

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

So many people in todays culture consider kindness and self restraint as weaknesses.

It is not so. It is only possible when we allow Holy Spirit to temper our thoughts with His. It is in unity that we thrive not in chaos. God’s empathy for fallen mankind was evidenced in HIs willingness to be born of man. He laid aside His deity to show us that even as mere humans we could live in the grace and mercy shown to us and share that with others. How quickly we forget how much we have been forgiven.

Ephesians 4:30-32

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. The New King James Version

Paul seems to be indicating that poor treatment of others can constrain the work of the Spirit—essentially denying or resisting God’s indwelling presence.The day of redemption refers to the Day of the Lord, when Christ will return. The Greek word used here for forgiving one another, charizomai, implies not only forgiving, but doing so with a gracious attitude. Paul uses this same word elsewhere to describe God’s forgiveness. Faithlife Study Bible

The Holy Spirit of God should never be pushed away, ignored, or rejected. If we would remember that the One who lives in us is God’s own Spirit, we would be much more selective about what we think, read, watch, say, and do. Note that Paul acknowledges that evil thoughts and actions are temptations even for those who are sealed by the Holy Spirit. The NKJV Study Bible

Be ye kind one to another. This sets forth the principle of love in the heart, and the outward expression of it, in a humble, courteous behaviour. Mark how God’s forgiveness causes us to forgive. God forgives us, though we had no cause to sin against him. We must forgive, as he has forgiven us. All lying, and corrupt communications, that stir up evil desires and lusts, grieve the Spirit of God. Corrupt passions of bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil-speaking, and malice, grieve the Holy Spirit. Provoke not the holy, blessed Spirit of God to withdraw his presence and his gracious influences. The body will be redeemed from the power of the grave at the resurrection day. Wherever that blessed Spirit dwells as a Sanctifier, he is the earnest of all the joys and glories of that redemption day; and we should be undone, should God take away his Holy Spirit from us. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Colossians 3:1–13 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth…

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;

Matthew 6:14–15 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit.

We have the privilege of making a place on this earth for others to be their very best. To allow another person to shine.

Yes... to let us all be reminded; “You are here to be light. Bringing out the God colours of the world.” (The Gospel of Matthew, Eugene H. Peterson)

This matters because we know that this world can be a crazy place. It can chew you up. And more than ever we need sanctuaries, sacred places where we can feel safe. Places of sanctuary that are safe for one another… for friends and family. 

Archbishop Desmond Tutu offers this blessing, reminding us of the joy of abiding in God’s love:

“Dear Child of God, you are loved with a love that nothing can shake, a love that loved you long before you were created, a love that will be there long after everything has disappeared. You are precious, with a preciousness that is totally quite immeasurable. And God wants you to be like God. Filled with life and goodness and laughter—and joy.

God, who is forever pouring out God’s whole being from all eternity, wants you to flourish. God wants you to be filled with joy and excitement and ever longing to be able to find what is so beautiful in God’s creation: the compassion of so many, the caring, the sharing. And God says, Please, my child, help me. Help me to spread love and laughter and joy and compassion. And you know what, my child? As you do this—hey, presto—you discover joy. Joy, which you had not sought, comes as the gift, as almost the reward for this non-self-regarding caring for others.”

(From The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World with the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu) Sabbath Moments