LOVE KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS

The scripture says     ⁸If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts]. 1 John 1 AMP. We were all sinners because of one man, Adam. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Remember, without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. Christ came to die so that we could have forgiveness of our sins. This makes forgiveness an important topic in our walk of faith.

When you read Matthew chapter 18, from verse 21 to 35, you would understand how God wants us to forgive those who have done us wrong. From the passage, the Master forgave the servant his debt he could not pay. The penalty was so severe that he had to beg on his knees. The Master forgave him but that servant could not do the same to another fellow who owed him a hundred silver coin. The servant was unmerciful to his fellow servant. In short, the Master got to hear what he had done, and took him to jail; tortured him till he paid the last penny. Friends, we owed a debt we could not have afforded to pay but God sent His son to suffer and die on our behalf. He paid the debt we could not pay. He forgave us our sins. Like that Master and His servant, we ought to forgive those who sin against us.

Please take a moment to answer these questions:

Do you remember the last time you sinned against God?

Did you pray for forgiveness?

Did you believe He forgave you?

If YES, you are blessed.

Let us move on the other direction;

Do you remember the last time someone (brother, sister, colleague, mother, father, teacher, pastor, family member, manager, director, supervisor, etc.) did something wrong (sin) against you?

What did you do?

Did you pay him/her back? Or You forgave him/her?

One thing we should know as believers is a servant is not greater than his master. If the master says “if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins”, then we should not find it hard to forgive our fellow human when they sinned against us.

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus added “And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us [who has offended us or done us wrong].” Luke 11:4 AMP. The way we are going to receive forgiveness from the Lord is dependent on the way we forgive others when they sin against us. God wants us to live in peace because in the beginning, he created a man and a woman. We are one family. For that reason, you are my brother/sister. I do not have to always keep record of the wrong things you do to me. Yeah! Paul said in 1 Corinthians that “love keeps no record of wrongs.”

We must learn to forgive generously.

Forgiveness is one of the difficult things believers find it hard to do. It is not very uncommon to see believers saying; “I cannot let it go” “I will pay him/her back” “God even knows I cannot forgive him” “he/she hurt me, I will forgive but I cannot forget” etc. But what these guys forget is Matthew 7:2 AMP “²For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you.” In other words, as you forgive others when they wrong you, your Father would also forgive you when you ask for forgiveness.

Most believers believe that it is right to curse someone who has done them wrong. NO! NO!! NO!!! Two wrongs can never make right. Look at Stephen’s life, at the point of death, he prayed for those who were stoning him. Jesus could have cursed those who crucified him but he prayed the Father to forgive them because they did not know what they were doing. Joseph forgave those who sold him. It may be true that you were hurt; he hurt you. She hurt you. But the pains you went through cannot be compared to the cost of your salvation. It took a person’s blood to wash your sins away. Now you can sing Amazing Grace.

Today, ²⁸Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God’s blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you]. Luke 6 AMP

God bless you as you decide to forgive those who have done you wrong. Amen.

We can pray together: if you need strength to let things go, send me an email and I would pray with you. The address is depreacher@live.com