Kind and compassionate

“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The dictionary explains ‘kind’ as benevolent, affectionate, loving. However, earlier in this chapter Paul exhorts the believers to speak the truth in love.  Speaking truth is often avoided, so that offence is not given. However, if I am in error I need to know truth. There is an Old Testament scripture in Ezekiel in which God says:

“If I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths.”Ezekiel‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬ ‭

God had lifted up Ezekiel and taken him to where the people of Israel were in exile. He stayed there for seven days. The Lord spoke this scripture to him. Verse 17 told Ezekiel that he was a watchman for the house of Israel. A watchman’s role was to report when danger was coming so the people could see and prepare.

Usually the word wicked is tied to unbelievers or not God’s people. However, Ezekiel is sitting  among God’s people.

Recently I have encountered resistance in a Christian friend for my decision to remove another friend from my life because of sinful behaviour. She cannot see the sin and is struggling with my decision. This has caused her to become distant from me. Whereas, I have found peace and release. I know I did what was right. I confronted the sinful behaviour in my friend and when ignored removed them.

Being kind is sometimes being truthful. Being forgiving is understanding that deception is the cause of the sin. The deceiver roams around looking for someone to devour. He starts with deception. Once he gains a foothold he sets up camp. Being forgiving is not pretending everything is fine when it is not. This is the world’s way. Recognise that! Amen!