Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians  4:32

I’ve just returned from one of those meetings; you know the kind, where you begin with devotion and prayer only to proceed to the agenda and have battle lines suddenly drawn.   Your mouth opens in shock at the venom-laced words that are shot across a table from one Christian to another.  Your brain is in a state of stunned disbelief; after all, didn’t we come to God in prayer only fifteen minutes ago?   Why are two of God’s people treating each other in such a way?  Sadness fills your heart at the way in which the devil so quickly worms his way in.  But then the sadness extends as the reflection turns from them…to me.

I am appalled at what Mrs. S. said to Mrs. Y., but haven’t some of those same thoughts been evident in my heart, only checked at the mouth because of my desire to remain the “nice” pastor’s wife?  How often have I withheld my sarcastic comments or pointed barbs only out of some twisted sense of pride that, because I didn’t express the thought, somehow I exist on some higher plane of godliness?  
The truth is, I know the answer to both of those questions.  The sin within me is just the same, threatening to break free and destroy Christian friendships in both complex discussions about ministry and mundane conversations about which curtains will look best in the sacristy.  The devil’s foothold in sinful hearts is a hideous sight to behold.

But thank God that we are not alone in this fight!  When I reflect on the sinful thoughts that fill my head, I can take them to the foot of the cross and hear Jesus say again, “It is finished.”  My sins, even the ones that by God’s grace alone never make it to the light of day, are all forgiven in Jesus.  And the sins of the people in our congregations that crop up in seemingly every circumstance?  They, too, are washed clean by the blood of the Lamb, whose words and actions were always in line with his Father’s, and whose thought life, too, was completely in tune to his Father’s will.  What a perfect Savior we have!  And what a loving God we have, to offer his one and only Son for people so imperfect, who so often disown him with angry words and poisonous thoughts.  
Knowing that love God has for me, and remembering how that love also extends to those around me motivates me to carry out the thought in the passage above, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other.” Why?  â€œJust as in Christ God forgave you.”  

I don’t know if the matters discussed in the meeting will ever be completely resolved to everyone’s liking, but I can attend another meeting, joyful in the forgiveness God has granted to me and to the people with whom I work in his kingdom.  I pray that that forgiveness not only keeps my thoughts and tongue in check, but allows me to sow seeds of kindness and compassion along the way.  God grant that it be so!

Ask the Lord

Lord, you know how often the work of your church gets muddied and weighed down by our petty disagreements and careless words.  Forgive us for the times when our thoughts and words have failed to be in line with yours.  Let the joy of your forgiveness drive us to kindness and compassion for one another that all in your kingdom might work together to tell others of your saving name.  
In Jesus’ name we pray all this, amen.
 

By Melissa Berg

Rapid City, SD