....so we can love

(from pinterest)

 I was pondering the part of the Bible, made famous because it’s often read at weddings. Commonly called the Love Chapter: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, tells us that:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails….” (NIV)

Maybe it was read at your wedding, suggesting of course, that this is how you and your spouse will love each other.

There is so much there it would take a lengthy book to explore, and even then, we could miss some of the most important points.

This kind of love is Agape Love; the kind of love that comes only from our heavenly Father. Once we allow His love into our hearts, we get to love with it too.

I want to ponder one short portion today. “Love keeps no record of wrongs.”

Think about that; chew on it.

(from pinterest)

God keeps no record of wrongs! God’s love isn’t something He has or does, God IS love. He is perfect love. And of the many attributes there are to His love and Who He is – one declares that He keeps no record of wrongs.

Remember, this is how the world knows we’re His children, by our love. This crazy, limitless, outrageous love that God has for us, that now lives inside of us – this phenomenal, powerful, forgiving love is the love we’re supposed to be sharing with everyone around us. (Yes, even those we perceive to be our enemies. In Matthew 25:43-44 Jesus tells us, “You have heard it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you….” Okay, go ahead, swallow hard, but keep reading.)

So, if the love we’re sharing with each other is the same love God loves us with, that means we keep no record of wrongs.

I’ll admit that caught in my throat for a few minutes as I realized there were people I had ledgers for in my heart, and yes, that’s where I kept their record of wrongs. As I pictured those studious hardback notebooks, I didn’t even open them. They felt heavy in my mind’s eye, as I momentarily held them. Knowing that God’s love doesn’t keep or approve of books like this, I quickly handed them over to Him to do with as He would.

If we are keeping a record of wrongs, we haven’t forgiven. And we’re certainly not loving these people with the love of God.

(from pinterest)

Let me say that again.

If we are keeping a record of wrongs, we haven’t forgiven. And we’re certainly not loving these people with the love of God.

The only reason to keep a record of how we’ve been wronged is so that we can justify our hatred and unforgiveness. Neither is acceptable to God our Father. Jesus didn’t die and rise from the dead to empower us to hate and resent or avenge ourselves. Everything He does is so that we can love.

“Forgive me, Father. Here are those records of wrong. You’re the only just judge. I trust You. Amen.”

(from pinterest)