Practical Christianity

Aim: To practice the true religion—based on Christ's redemption of us.

Doctrine: The antidote for every churchman's bitterness is undying amazement at God's forgiveness of our sins. Christ's atonement nullifies our claims of ''self-justification,'' and it provides the basis for genuinely loving attitudes.

Exegesis: Miraculous traits that flow from divine forgiveness: sincere gentleness—having received it from God Himself (v. 32a); real remission—having experienced it from God Himself (v. 32b); gracious churchmanship—having been established by God Himself (v. 32c).

Further application: How to more consistently experience practical Christianity: let us abandon our old, tired arguments, and let us celebrate our common state of forgiveness (before God).

Key verse: v. 32 ''And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.''