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Together in Christ: 'Make Allowances for Other's Faults' — Ephesians 4:1-2 Thursday, May 2, 2024 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. — Ephesians 4:1-2 NLT Key Thought God's love is the great eraser. God's love, if we choose to respond to it in faith, erases our shortcomings, flaws, transgressions, and rebelliousness. That eraser has brought us into the Father's family of grace even though we were once weak, ungodly, sinners, and enemies of God. [1] Because God has poured His love out on us with grace and mercy, we should be humble and gentle with others! Since God has forgiven us and, despite our faults, is transforming us to become like Jesus, [2] then shouldn't we treat each other with grace? Can't we be more patient with the shortcomings that others are trying to overcome in their walk with Jesus? Shouldn't we approach each other with a tenderness based on humility, knowing that there but for the grace of God, we would find ourselves? Yes! Paul emphatically declared this humbleness, gentleness, patience, and love must be true of us. God called us to be His beloved children; displaying our Father's righteous character must include His gracious compassion and loving-kindness. Because our Father chose to forgive our faults to redeem us, then we must make allowance for and forgive each other's faults to bless and redeem them! [1] Romans 5:6-11 ESV. [2] Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 1:22; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18. TODAY'S PRAYER O, dear Father, I pray for a heart that makes allowances for the faults and shortcomings of others just as You have been patient and kind with my faults and shortcomings. Thank You, Jesus, for displaying this sacrificially loving lifestyle. I ask You, Holy Spirit, to hasten my transformation to be more like Jesus, in Whose mighty name I pray! Amen. RELATED SCRIPTURE READINGS Romans 5:6-11, 12:9-21 Colossians 3:5-18