Clothed in Grace
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)
In a world quick to judge, cancel, and keep score, being gracious feels almost countercultural. Yet Scripture calls us not merely to occasional kindness, but to a lifestyle marked by grace—one that mirrors the very way God has treated us.
Paul writes these words to believers who were learning to lay aside old patterns of bitterness, anger, and malice (Ephesians 4:31). In their place, he urges them to “put on” a new set of garments: kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness. The standard Paul sets is “as God in Christ forgave you.”
God didn’t wait until we apologized perfectly. He didn’t demand we clean up our act first. He didn’t keep a record of every wrong to use against us later. Instead, while we were still sinners—still rebellious, still indifferent—Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). That is breathtaking grace.
Being gracious doesn’t mean we pretend offenses never happened or that boundaries aren’t needed. It means we choose not to weaponize the hurt. It means we respond with the same undeserved kindness we’ve received.
Forgiveness offered—not because the other person deserves it, but because Christ’s blood has already covered far worse in us.
Gracious Father, You are merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Thank You for not treating me as my sins deserve, but for clothing me in Christ’s righteousness.
Today I confess the times I’ve been harsh, withholding, or quick to take offense. Soften my heart. Make me tenderhearted again. Help me to see the people around me as people You love and for whom Christ died.
Give me the strength to be kind. May my life reflect Your grace so clearly that others taste something of Your goodness through me.
In the name of Jesus, who forgave me at infinite cost, Amen.
