New Year New You
It takes two to make a quarrel; the Christian should never be one.
“Bowels of mercies,” a yearning and tender sympathy with the sorrowful and afflicted: as opposed to carelessness or cruel delight in their griefs.
Kindness,” active goodwill, not merely ready to sympathize with suffering, but in every way to do good to others. It is simple, pure, brotherly, and disinterested.
Humbleness of mind” has two phases. It is a low estimate of ourselves, and it leads us highly to estimate others in comparison with ourselves.
“Meekness” is a spirit of patience and self-control under reproach, misrepresentation, and unkind treatment by others.
Long-suffering” elongates meekness, and stretches it out, if unkindness from others should be systematic and long continued.
“Forbearing one another,” in case of little hitches and provocations.
“Forgiving one another,” in case of actual injury to character or estate. 8. “Over all these put on charity.” This is like a girdle round the loins, or like an easy-fitting toga, or cloak, which is at once elegant and useful. It completes our spiritual dress, and adds a general grace to the entire outfit.
Forbearing and forgiving are meekness and long-suffering in exercise.
A man may forbear and bite his lips till the blood come rather than speak unkindly, but forgiveness is an entire wiping of enmity and irritation out of the heart.