TODAY’S SCRIPTURE Ephesians 4:29-32
In recent years there have been a number of buildings, such as motels, stadiums, and bridges that have been imploded. I find it pretty amazing to view an implosion of a skyscraper in New York, a hotel in Las Vegas, a ball stadium in Seattle on CNN or YouTube. This is a tremendous reminder of a basic principle of life: It does not take nearly as long to destroy as it does to build.
God desires for the church to be in the people-building business. In our text, Ephesians 4:29-32, Paul reminds us of the importance of our words and our actions. If we are going to build up people, become more like Jesus, we must watch our words and take note of our actions.
The apostle Paul instructs Christians to eliminate negative actions that harm people — Ephesians 4:31. He is very clear — get rid of certain actions and attitudes! After listing actions to avoid and vices that are to be put away, Paul states three positive actions––virtues to be added to our lives to become people-builders and to be more like Jesus.¹ These virtues that help build up are in contrast to the vices that destroy. These virtues are 1. be kind, 2. be tenderhearted, and 3. be forgiving.
The first virtue, be kind, means to be “good or gentle.” Truth is, people can make us tired, angry, and disappointed. So, why should we be kind? First and foremost, it is the right thing to do, and it also helps us to better understand the depth of God’s kindness with us.
When we are kind to the unkind, when we do right even though we have been done wrong, we are doing what God does every single second in every single minute of every single hour of every single day. We can a glimpse of what God does for us!
Today, I will…keep in mind the kindness of God so I can be more focused and kinder to others!
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¹ Rusty Peterman, “People Builders,” www.biblecourses.com/English/en_lessons/EN199503_18.pdf.