By 9-19-13 – Memory Verse 139
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. –Ephesians 4:31-32
Sanctification is a process whereby we become conformed day by day into the image of Christ. The Holy Spirit working through the Word of God transforms us to resemble Jesus. Regeneration is completely of God; sanctification requires more sweat on our part. Yet it is God who works in us to do and work for his good pleasure. And he who began a good work in us will complete it. In other words, God desires us to be like his son, and he aims to make it so.
Our text lists a whole assortment of sins which flow out of an angry and unthankful heart. We are commanded to let those sins of anger be put away. God aims to take those away little by little, and we are to open our hands and not white-knuckle those sins.
Instead of holding on to our anger, we are to let it be replaced with thankfulness and forgiveness. After all, who are we to not forgive someone when we have been eternally forgiven a debt which could never be repaid by us?
Leading Family Devotions 