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Scripture References: 1) Ephesians 4:1-2 Last week we spoke and encouraged one another about LOVE which is the central "one another" of New Covenant life. There are many other "one anothers" but you will notice that they all proceed from the source of LOVE. All of them can be found in the description of LOVE that God's Word gives us. Tonight we will go into specifics about some of these: Bearing with; Kindness/Compassion; and Forgiveness. These three flow together like a trinity. One really can't be had without the others. We can't bear with someone unless we have compassion. When we are compassionate, we are kind. And finally, when these things are operating in our lives, it will be easy for us to forgive as God forgives - even when they don't deserve it. Questions: 1) What do you think of when you hear that you should "bear with" others? 2) Are you a "kind" person? How or how not? 3) What purpose does "forgiveness" serve? ACTION! Which of these specific areas can you most improve in? Remember, we're NOT trying to make ourselves feel guilty, but we do need to recognize where we lack so we can ask God to fill us in that area and make us more like Jesus. |