Love is directly tied with forgiveness as Jesus said: “When you have been forgiven much, you love much.” Luke 7:47
Forgiveness means the offense is pardoned, consequently freeing us to love that person again. When we look at Jesus we see that some of His last words requested forgiveness from God for the ignorant acts of His offenders: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Christ’s greatest act of love was the forgiveness He extended by His voluntary death on the cross (1 John 3:16). Jesus described His own act of love when He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus was, and is the personification of love and forgiveness.
Forgiveness flows when you have been authentically and thoroughly forgiven. It is the grace of God and faith in Him that drives forgiveness in followers of Christ. We need to realize that our capacity to love is directly tied to our willingness to receive Christ’s forgiveness.
Forgiveness forgets the past, engages in the present, and hopes in the future. We need to extend forgiveness indiscriminately and receive it graciously. We must reject the temptation for resentment and humbly receive God’s grace instead.
The word of God tells us to: “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13
And the Lord commands us: “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins” (Mark 11:25). We need to love with action and in truth and not with words or speech. 1 John 3:18
The LORD says: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:18-19
We need to deal with problems right away in a loving way and not give them room to fester: “In your anger do not sin” (Forgive)Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”Ephesians 4:26-27
We need to determine to: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”Ephesians 4:32
We should never: “Repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:17, 19
As hard as it might seem we are to: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:27-28
Because “…The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, is slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness…” Exodus 34:6
As God’s children, filled with His love we need to follow His instructions as He has commanded us to do; always remembering that love keeps no record of wrongs – LOVE FORGIVES.
Source: Mission Venture Ministries
www.missionventureministries.wordpress.com
