May 19th | Bear With One Another in Love

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 

 BEAR WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE

Ephesians 4:2 “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, bearing with one another in love.”   

Putting up with people who irritate you is asking a lot. Their behavior, unkind words, thoughtfulness toward you can make your life miserable, difficult, and unpleasant. For whatever reason, even though you would like to simply ignore or even freeze them out of your life there appears to be no way for you to do so. What are you to do? 

Making allowances for the faults of others, tolerating the offensive behavior of someone, enduring difficulties caused by another, putting up with an irritating person is asking a lot. Yet, this is exactly what today’s devotional phrase from Ephesians 4:2 exhorts you to do. “. . . bear with one another in love” is what St. Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write.   

Don’t forget the last two words of this phrase. The exhortation is to bear with one another in love. This love, as was true in the previous devotions, is not something you must create. It has already been created and given to you. Once again St. Paul’s words draw you back to the source of unconditional love. It draws you back to the one who loved you so much that, in spite of your sins, He took yours from you, took them upon Himself and paid their price by dying on the cross in full and complete payment God demanded because of them. “In love” refers to the love of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

Because of His love for you, Jesus prayed from His cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Yes, you were included in this prayer of Jesus to His heavenly Father. He is your advocate, your defense attorney, the one who pleads with His Father to forgive you all of your sins. He did not pray this prayer on the cross and then never speak to His Father in your behalf ever again. No, daily He pleads for you, begging God to forgive you for His sake. 

This is what is behind the words of Scripture quoted in yesterday’s devotion, “Even as I have loved you now love one another.” As you are forgiven by your heavenly Father for Jesus’ sake, so you are to forgive those who irritate, bother, and make your life miserable. Jesus died for them also. When you forgive in His name, you are taking all of the sins they commit against you and giving them to Jesus. You are ridding yourself of their burden. You are being freed to love even the most unlovable.   

Prayer: Even as you have loved me Lord, help me to love my brother and sister in Christ. In His holy name. Amen. 

Love in Christ is strong and living, Binding faithful hearts in one;  
Love in Christ is true and giving. May His will in us be done. 

Love is patient and forbearing, clothed in Christ’s humility,  
Gentle, selfless, kind, and caring, Reaching out in charity. 

Love in Christ abides forever, Fainting not when ills attend;  
Love, forgiving and forgiven, Shall endure until life’s end.  (LSB 706)