PUTTING ON THE NEW SELF (part 6 of 6)

COMMENT:
When Paul tells believers to “put on the new self”, 
he doesn’t ‘leave us hanging’ to try and figure out what that means.
With the Lord’s guidance, Paul is given the wisdom to list a few of 
the areas where we should focus as we make our transition to the ‘new self’.
This is the sixth of a six part series of brief devotionals the Lord has 
given me for guidance and for sharing with others who have a desire to 
become the new person He wants them to be.
 
SCRIPTURE:
“…and to put on the new self, 
created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
(Ephesians 4:24)

MEDITATION:
We all make mistakes at times and would give anything 
if we could ‘undo’ them.
However, it is impossible to ‘unscramble an egg’, 
so we need to ask for and receive forgiveness from those we have offended.
But will they forgive us?
 
Some allow their own self-centeredness to be exposed when they have an 
attitude of never forgiving someone who has offended them in any way.
Others might say they forgive, but their actions indicate they have not.
Some seem to enjoy holding failures over others who have offended them.
They frequently, or infrequently, remind them of incidents of the past, 
which is a strong indicator that they have not truly forgiven the other 
person.

Whenever we refuse to sincerely forgive another person, then we are not
showing kindness and compassion, which are evidences of forgiveness.
Aren’t you glad we worship a God who is compassionate and kind?
Imagine how much different we would feel 
if He refused to forgive us for our failures.
All hope would be lost the very first time we offended or disobeyed Him.

But God is not like that, 
and He doesn’t want those who represent Him to be unforgiving either.
He wants us to be a true reflection of the One we worship by showing 
kindness, compassion, and most of all, our willingness to forgive others.

Lack of forgiveness, kindness, and compassion is not expected of those 
who have ‘put on the new self’ as one who has been ‘created to be like God’.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, 
just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

ACTION:
Pray,
“Heavenly Father forgive me for failing to forgive others and help 
me to always be kind, compassionate and forgiving in the future. 
Thank You for Your kindness, compassion and forgiveness of the
times I have offended You with my disobedience.”