Philippians: Gospel in the midst of suffering.

Philippians 1

English Standard Version (ESV)

Greeting

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴ always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶ And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. ⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. ⁸ For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. ⁹ And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

The Advance of the Gospel

¹² I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, ¹³ so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.¹⁴ And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

¹⁵ Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. ¹⁶ The latter do it out of love,knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁷ The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. ¹⁸ What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

To Live Is Christ

Yes, and I will rejoice, ¹⁹ for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, ²⁰ as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. ²³ I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. ²⁴ But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

²⁷ Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸ and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. ²⁹ For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, ³⁰ engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

As I read through this book one of the things that pops out to me is Philippians ring to me of a death bed letter. Paul is in prison and he is suffering. He longs to be with God the Father, but he also feels an obligation and calling to support the churches through his writing. In the first few verses of this letter, Paul talks about how he finds joy in the church of Phillippi. He sees their work in furthering the gospel and he feels supported by them in his ministry. There seems to be a deep affection between the church and Paul. In Ephesians Paul was writing to a people he did not know. In this letter Paul writes intimately to the church. He longs for their growth and completion in Christ. 
Paul also feels the need to reassure the church of his situation. He doesn't hide the fact that he is in prison and suffering, but he doesn't draw attention to it either. He merely talks about how he has found joy in the advancement of the gospel. Paul seems to be asking the Philippian church to continue to in the work of advancing the gospel because he needs that hope in his suffering. 

There is a quote at my work that says,"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." ~Dalai Lama. I feel Paul is saying, "If you want to find joy, we preach the gospel. If I want to find joy, we preach the gospel." 

Father, I want to have joy in my life. I want to be focused on You and Your calling in my life. I want to have fruitful labor in the gospel. Holy Spirit may I be intimate with You that I feel secure in faith and conviction. Place a longing in my heart for You. Amen.  

The Game of Life

This is an interesting video for me because it deals with healing, a subject very close to my heart. Paul's deathbed like tone speaks to me in a very real way. I occasionally as a nurse receive hospice patients or people faced with difficult illness. 

Going with my streak of showing things that are not my own, but that have been inspirational to me.

If you have had told me the word eschatology would have great signifigance in my life a couple months ago, I probably would have had no idea what you ment. My sister recommended this article to me when I was talking about struggling with different relationships in my life. 

The Sure Source of Christian Contentment

I always need reminded of how to be the woman God calls me to be. This article reminded me of a few simple truths that I need. 

The Real Deal: What True Womanhood Is All About

These talks by Brene Brown have been life changing. It's hard to take everything she has to say in; however, that is one of the things that makes it so powerful. 

Quotes

I have for a long time wanted to do a post of different quotes. Now that I am finally getting around to it, I have forgotten most of the quotes I wanted to use. Yet here are some great quotes that have spoken to me recently. 

I would like to buy about three dollars worth of gospel, please. Not too much – just enough to make me happy, but not so much that I get addicted. I don't want so much gospel that I learn to really hate covetousness and lust. I certainly don't want so much that I start to love my enemies, cherish self-denial, and contemplate missionary service in some alien culture. I want ecstasy, not repentance; I want transcendence, not transformation. I would like to be cherished by some nice, forgiving, broad-minded people, but I myself don't want to love those from different races – especially if they smell. I would like enough gospel to make my family secure and my children well behaved, but not so much that I find my ambitions redirected or my giving too greatly enlarged. I would like about three dollars worth of gospel, please. ~D. A. Carson

For eons human beings have tried to find less destructive ways to live together. ~Margaret Wheatly

“To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.” 

~Timothy Keller

“A vast horde of souls were rumbling toward heaven.  There were whole companies of white-trash, clean for the first time in their lives, and bands of black niggers in white robes, and battalions of freaks and lunatics shouting and clapping and leaping like frogs. And bringing up the end of the procession was a tribe of people whom she recognized at once as those who, like herself and Claud, had always had a little of everything and the God-given wit to use it right.  She leaned forward to observe them closer.  They were marching behind the others with great dignity, accountable as they always had been for good order and common sense and respectable behavior.  They alone were on key.  Yet she could see by their shocked and altered faces that even their virtues were being burned away.” ~Flannery O'Connor

Forgiveness says you are free from your penalty. You may go. Justification says you free from your sin.... You may come. ~Timothy Keller

"The benefits of the new birth- the pardon of our sins and our relationship with Christ- do not remove us from the battle. Instead, they guarantee our victory!" ~Dave Harvey

"till sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet." ~Thomas Watson

Loneliness

Loneliness is a demon
It fills my upper chest
Clawing at my throat
So it burns from the inside scratch marks


Loneliness is a burden
It cannot be shared with others
It grows in solitude
It feeds on hidden thoughts and feelings


Loneliness is a reminder of You
You were alone on the cross
You were separated from the Father
You did so to bring unity to me

Ephesians 6:10-24

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Whole Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Final Greetings

²¹ So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. ²² I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

²³ Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

Paul ends with instructions on how to with stand spiritual warfare. In these last few weeks I feel like have with stood great spiritual warfare, yet I struggle with how to tell people about it. I have second guessed myself saying it's only this emotion that I need to deal with, it's my hormones acting up, or I'm merely frustrated with this situation. After I read this passage, I feel like Paul is speaking directly to me. I am not dealing with flesh and blood. I am dealing with thoughts, emotions, insecurities, authorities, and things unstable. I have heard many pastors say, if the bible says "therefore" you ask what it's "there for." Here Paul is telling us how to be strong in the Lord. God has given us spiritual armor. Truth is hard to hear, but people don't have a leg to stand on when you present them with truth. If you are righteous, then they have nothing to accuse you of. If your feet a quick to point to the gospel and a peaceful gospel, they have nothing with which to attack you. It will take faith and perseverance in God to stand against the doubts that we have in our heads and the words that others say. Salvation is key to protect our heads from doubts. Salvation is so key to our theology. We need to understand how to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit. He is our helper and advocate now. He is how we should fight spiritually. He is the word of God in our hearts. We not only should be praying for ourselves to persevere in the faith, but also for others as well. 
I love how Paul sends someone to encourage the hearts of the Ephesian church. One of my hearts desires is to encourage people. In their faith, in their health, and their hearts. The fact that Paul thought that was so important shows that we need to be doing that for each other. Often our language is full of criticism and sarcasm, yet how much more effective would I be if I used my words to encourage and not to tear down.   
Holy Spirit, I  ask that you would work on my heart, my tongue, my lips today. May I encourage people today and point them to You and Your awesome gift of salvation. May I be strong in You. As You advocate for me before God, I ask that You would protect my mind from doubts and worry. Would You show me Your will so that I can firmly walk in Your way. Help me to firmly walk in Your way. I ask that You would do the same for my brothers and sisters in Christ. May the words of our mouths and meditations of our hearts be focused on You. In Jesus name, Amen. 

Ephesians 6:5-9

English Standard Version (ESV)

Bondservants and Masters

⁵ Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,⁶ not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, ⁸ knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. ⁹ Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

I think of this as Paul's Guide to the Workplace. We don't really have bondservant's anymore, but the same principles can apply to the current employee/employer relationships. I am suppose to have sincere, respectful heart. I am a people pleaser. I put alot of my self-worth in how people see me, yet this is not a pure motive for doing God's work. I am called to do everything with my faith and Lord in mind. 

Colossians 3:17

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

When I am in charge at work I need to have the same grace with my co-workers as God had for me. God offers the people who don't like the same grace and mercy that He did me. I need to carry that in my heart. 


Holy Father, I need You to change my attitudes and my relationships with people. I need Your grace and power. I don't want to ruin Your witness, but I also can testify to You using the weak thing in this world. I feel very weak. Please use me to witness and draw nigh to You the people I work with. Thank you for the grace that You have had with me and continue to have. May You enable me to pass on that same grace. Please focus my heart not on what others think of me, but give me a sincere heart to do Your work. Amen.

Ephesians 6:1-9

English Standard Version (ESV)

Children and Parents

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), ³ “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” ⁴ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Bondservants and Masters

⁵ Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,⁶ not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, ⁸ knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. ⁹ Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

I find it odd that these two passages are right next to each other, yet as one takes a closer look it starts to make sense. Paul has just encouraged spouses how to have a good relationship together.
Here children are encouraged how to have a good relationship with their parents and vis versa. Honor is something our culture often overlooks as necessary. The Lord has laid on my heart to honor those in my life. I don't always do so, but I strive to honor people in a way they find honoring. My parents have been very gracious and loving towards me. Honoring my parents comes easier to me because of this; however, how do you honor a parent you don't a good relationship with? Children can be very hurt by the power and control their parents have over them or the opposite where there is no discipline or order in the child's life. One thing I have learned is that different people find different things to be honoring. It takes knowing that person to discover how they want to be honored. Fathers day is coming up as we seek to honor our earthly fathers, let us take us take the time to honor how Heavenly Father as well.

Ephesians 5:22-33 English Standard Version (ESV) Wives and Husbands 22  Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 25  Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.[a] 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31  “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

I am not married and it is not on the horizon anytime soon. While I am hesitant to write on this passage, I am still commanded to look at this passage and glean from it what God wills me to. The attitude of submission is one that is not looked upon with favor in our society. As a Christian, I know that I should be submissive to those over me in authority, yet I find myself constantly battling them in my head or in real life. If I am to get married, I don't want to be constantly battling my husband. I am a sinner and there are many areas of my life a future husband will/should correct me on. I need to start cultivating a heart open too correction and willing to submit when God commands me to. I also am part of the church. Am I submitting to Christ as I should? No; therefore, I need to start changing my heart and earnestly seeking to have the same heart of my Savior. Paul is not trying to demine women here. He is trying to encourage men and women how to have a successful marriage. I want to submitt to my husband. I want my husband to love me. I want to show my husband how important he is in my life by letting him lead our family, but I also want him to listen to me the same way God listens to my prayers. I want my husband to correct me and encrouage me to become more Christ like, yet I want him to do it in such a way that I dont' resent his correction. I want to respect all men in my life. This includes doctors, father, grandfather, brothers in christ, and pastors. I also need to submit and respect Christ before I can sumbit and respect to the men in my life. Part of me respecting and submitting to God will might mean never getting married. Yet I know that God has a good plan in lfe for me. God wants good things for me and He wants good things for the church. I must work as part of that church to live in accordance with His will. I can also use this passage to seek out a godly husband. A godly husband will love, nourish, and cherish me as Christ commands.

Ephesians the Great Exhortation

Ephesians 5 has been very hard for me to break down and write about. Partly due to the fact Ephesians 5 has sooo much to say. Paul covers a lot of ground in Ephesians 5. Partly because I have a hard time desiring to put it into practice in my own life. So let's jump right in.
¹ Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Paul start off by calling the Ephesians,"dearly loved children." Sweet words to hear as we are to follow God's example. He had just commanded them to forgive one another as God forgives us. Now we are not only to forgive but love and sacrifice ourselves. How intimidating. How amazing.

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^[a] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. ⁷ Therefore do not be partners with them.

Paul puts a the bar almost too high to reach here. Not even a hint of foolish talk or coarse joking. I am a nurse. We laugh and talk to ease the difficulty of our day, but here I am need to put off such things. I enjoy laughing, but I shouldn't laugh at the things that God tells me not too. When I am working and the day is going bad, I am not making jokes of thanksgiving. One of my friends recently said to me that I might have an excess of joy in my life. It took me a long time to think about why God would say that to me. The conclusion that I have come to is that I have an excess of the wrong kind of joy in my life. I need to learn how to enjoy God and thanksgiving vs. enjoy coarse humor and rough jokes. 

 ⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.¹³ But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:
   “Wake up, sleeper,
   rise from the dead,
   and Christ will shine on you.”
I like the imagery here. I need to live a child of light. I am light. Now as a child of light I have a mission to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. This idea is so exciting to me!

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.


 Paul gives some very practical advice on how to carry out this awesome mission. He has encouraged the Ephesians to throw off foolish living that draws their hearts away from God. With that comes some simply, yet hard for my heart to hear commands. Don't talk foolishly... even if it causes you to be seen as popular. Have nothing to do with that kind of talk or behavior... even if it means that being separated from my friends or coworkers. Don't give into peer pressure. Don't eat or drink anything to lower inhibitions. God gives us a conscience for a reason. That is His Spirit talking to us. Don't try and silence it. The effort that would have been spent on the frivolity of this world should them be used in the pursuit of our Savior. Be filled with the Spirit. Speak good words to one another. Follow God's example. 

Edifications of Paul Chap. 4

There is a rhyme and a reason to Paul's writing. In his extortion of the Ephesians he starts off with God's love, sacrifice, and now unity with us; therefore, as imitators of Christ we need to have love, sacrifice, and unity with one another.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

God has not left us by ourselves to putter around in our salvation. He has given us tools to give our faith purpose and direction. We need to use these tools and teachers to strengthen our faith and understanding of truth.

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

I love this verse. I struggle with disunity in the church, both my own and others. I like this verse because is gently reminds my spirit of the maturity in Christ that He is growing in me. I have a very impressionable personality. I listen carefully to others advice to make decisions, yet I need to be listening to my Fathers word and the impressions that the Holy Spirit leaves on my heart. I need to be able to discern good doctrine and false truths.

 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

That being said, I need to seek truth and impart truth in a way that builds up my brothers and sisters. My roommate is a Roman Catholic. We have some very big differences in theology and doctrine; however, I know that God has called me to love her and get along with her. Yet I must love her without distilling or compromising truth.

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

To do so there must be a change in behavior. God has given me the tools and His Spirit to enable me to no longer walk in futility. This passage reminds me of when Paul wrote to the Philippians and said,"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
We must not merely do. We must put thoughts into actions. 

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Then Paul gives very specific examples how to put on a new self and not return back to "gentile" ways. Don't lie. Speak truth. Easy enough. 

 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Be angry?!!! This one difficult for me to understand. This verse is one of the reasons it took me about a month to write this. The NIV puts this verse that helps my mind wrap around this concept, “In your anger do not sin.” My mother would tell us that anger is like a check engine light. You should use your anger to recognize injustice, but it should not rule your life. 

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.

I like this verse because it doesn't just tell the thief to stop stealing, but gives him a new motivation. Work honestly so that you can share your fruits with others. 

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

This one is especially hard for me. In my family we prize the witty and clever tongue. Debate around the dinner table to not uncommon. While this in not a bad thing in my family, I do need to make sure my words edify those around me. 

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Every time we sin consciously or unconsciously, we grieve the Holy Spirit. I need to become aware of my sin and then strive to becomes more like Christ. I also need to repent of my sins. I often forget to ask God for forgiveness; however, I have found it makes my heart more aware of the sin that I am doing. 

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Empty yourself of sin. Fill yourself with the good works of God. So simply, yet so difficulty. Use Christ and the works of God to motivate your life. What a profound idea that I need to put into practice more in my life. 

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.