Together in Christ: 'Make Allowances for Other's Faults' — Ephesians 4:1-2

Friday, May 2, 2025

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.

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!

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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

17 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of Ephesians 4:1-2 NLT — 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.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, May 2, 2025

A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Friend, Just as Paul faced his legal ordeals and challenging travels to Rome, My disciples in Asia Minor faced growing criticism, ostracism, and..."
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
"[Trying to trap Jesus, the Pharisees said to him:] "Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" But Jesus...."
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
"I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! Death..."
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
"The Lord is king! Let the nations tremble! He sits on his throne between the cherubim. Let the whole earth quake! The Lord sits in majesty... exalted...."

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.