Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- February 18, 2012
Love Forgives…”It [love] keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:5
Love forgives continually and it forgives comprehensively. Forgiveness wipes clean the slate of offense, hence it is freeing for everyone. Indeed, forgiveness was the heartbeat of Jesus. Some of His last words requested forgiveness from God for the ignorant acts of His offenders (Luke 23:34). Christ’s greatest act of love was the forgiveness He extended by His voluntary death on the cross (Colossians 2:13-15). 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 the epitome of love and forgiveness; He owns the trademark.
Forgiveness is the fuel for living a life free from the clutter of cutting words and unjust acts. A life without forgiveness is a lonely life locked up in the solitary confinement of sin. Forgiveness flows when you have been authentically and thoroughly forgiven. Half-hearted forgiveness is the destiny of those who have not tasted the tender touch of forgiveness from their heavenly Father. Unless the forgiveness of God has graced your heart and soul, your capacity for forgiveness will be foreign and futile.
It is the grace of God and faith in Him that fuels forgiveness in followers of Christ. The job description of Christians is to love with forgiveness because we have been forgiven (Colossians 3:13). Think about the depth and breadth of your forgiveness. Ignorant acts, they are forgiven; drunkenness, it’s forgiven; lust, it’s forgiven; immorality, it’s forgiven; hate, it’s forgiven; ignoring God, it’s forgiven; unbelief, it’s forgiven. Love forgives because it has been forgiven.
Remember where you were BC (before Christ), and reflect on where you would be today without His love and forgiveness. Recall what it was like to be lost and bound up in your sin, and celebrate how far God has brought you. Love is extremely grateful for God’s goodness and redeeming power. Forgiveness is second nature and somewhat automatic for followers of Jesus who are consumed with Christ’s love. They are enamored with God’s love for them and others. When you have been forgiven much, you love much (Luke 7:47). Your capacity to love is directly tied to your willingness to receive Christ’s forgiveness. Accept the Almighty’s forgiveness so that you can extend forgiveness. Let go of unforgiveness and replace it with His unconditional love.
Love looks for excuses to eliminate hard feelings, as it replaces resentment and bitterness with love and forgiveness. Love by forgiving your family member who may not even know they hurt your heart. Love by forgiving your friend who volitionally violated your confidence. Love by forgiving your father and mother who are preoccupied parents. Love by forgiving your child who is ungrateful and selfish. Love by forgiving yourself for your stupid decisions. Forgiveness forgets the past, engages in the present, and hopes in the future. Extend forgiveness indiscriminately and receive it graciously. Delete any record of wrongs from the hard drive of your heart. Call, write, or initiate a freeing conversation of forgiveness. Reject the temptation for indignation and humbly receive God’s grace instead. Love liberally by regularly relying on forgiveness. Love forgives.
Taken from the February 16th reading in the 365-day devotional book, “Seeking Daily the Heart of God”… http://bit.ly/bQHNIE
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forgiveness –a tough callingor act , but the benefits are priceless.
Forgiveness will set you free
Forgiving is the easy part, forgetting the wrongs is the challenge. Just remember that it’s God’s and heal and move on
Thank You Lord! I needed this today. A very healthy reminder of what love is really all about.
I don’t think we should forget. That’s why there are so many examples in the Bible. We should learn from ours, and other’s mistakes.
Well said!! We as Christians fail miserably with forgiveness. We may think we can do it but have we ever been offended. Im always amazed by the people who go to the prisions to face the convicted person who took the life of their child. They can look them in the eyes and say to them “I forgive you.” That to me is the greatest example of Christ’s love expressed through a true born again Christian. I cant think of a greater offense that could be commited agsinst a person.
Having said that, im ashamed to admit that I harbor unforgiveness for actions that pale in comparison to that type of loss. I think pride stands in the way of forgiveness a great deal of the time.
I would love to see an expanded message on how to deal with people who are very difficult to forgive. I personally have family members who were extremely abusive, and have never admitted or apologized for their behavior. They are toxic people to be around, and while I continue to work on forgiving them and pray for them, they are not in my life as they would only serve to be damaging. To many people seem to think that forgiveness means absolution or that once they sort-of say they’re sorry that all is forgotten and continue on repeating their bad or abusive behaviors. I would love to see more Bible passages and instructions about how to deal with seriously abusive situations that can be detrimentally harmful, and how to manage them in a Christ like way.
Forgiving….help me lord….He’s not done with me yet.
The armor of the Lord defines His attributes of security. Your freedom is secured by His belt of truth. Your heart is protected by His breastplate of righteousness. You can walk securely with Him, because your feet are covered by His peace. You can be confident that His shield of faith extinguishes the fiery arrows of the enemy. Your mind is secured by His helmet of salvation. Your offensive security lies in the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Now this is security “up close and personal.” Chose each day to be suited up by the Lord, and you will be secure. An exposed life is an insecure life.
@ A. E.
I am praying for you. I do understand.
5 areas of our lives.
thoughts
words
deeds
attitudes
motives of the heart
We have passive aggressor in our family with very hurtful words even to their own children. It is sad but God is in control of all things. Pray for the fruit of the spirit on your family member/s. God maybe using this person/s to pull out the 10% He sees you need to fix. Negative comments are NEVER easy to listen to but begin by giving thanks in all things. Begin your mornings on your knees with your face to the ground. Cry out to God, let the tears flow and ask for his awesome and perfect help. Please keep us updated.