Ephesians 4:29-32
Verse 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Our enemies aren’t the only ones we need to be forgiving. This passage in Ephesians is part of a chapter talking about how the Church can be mature. It should be no surprise to us that forgiveness would be included in such a passage. As we have mentioned before Paul had a good understanding of what Jesus was teaching about forgiveness and he was doing his best to help other believers know the depth of the issue.
While it seems like it would be easier for us to forgive fellow Christians, the truth is, we struggle just as much with forgiving them at times. Just because a person is a Christian doesn’t mean they will never do something which will hurt us. There is even a term which was coined to talk about people injured by the institution of the church. Church Hurt people have found themselves injured by the people within the church walls.
Sometimes this comes from church leadership and sometimes it happens to those in leadership positions. There are those who have found themselves being abused because of gossip being passed around about things which the person may or may not have control of. Some have been hurt because their health condition or disability is not welcomed meaning they are not welcomed. No matter the hurt, it is hard not to hold onto the pain and turn it into bitterness and hate.
When things happen in a church which cause hurt to certain members it isn’t one or two members who are affected, it is the whole of the church. If the hurt person mentions to others how the church has injured them, it will give that whole body of believers a bad name and worse yet, the Church as a whole. The longer the hurt goes on the more the name of Jesus is dragged through the mud of bitterness.
There is one important thing which should be noted. Not all that is claimed as Church Hurt fits this category. There are those who claim Church Hurt because they have been called out on a sin they don’t want to repent of. For the Church to remain pure, sin has to be called out, but there is a way to do it which Jesus laid out. Unrepentant sin is something which causes the Church to hurt.
Making It Personal
Have you ever been hurt by another believer? Have you ever hurt another believer? How can you keep from hurting another believer?
Making It Personal Kids
Have you ever been hurt by someone who loves Jesus? Have you ever hurt someone who loves Jesus? What can you do to make sure you don’t hurt another believer?
Closing Prayer
Father, we repent of times we have caused other believers needless pain. Help us love Your people in a way which reflects Your love for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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