We as Christians are constantly taught that we are to forgive. When people have hurt us, we need to forgive them. This doesn't absolve them of the hurt they have caused us, but it frees us from bondage to bitterness and resentment. Sometimes this is easier said than done. We have all been hurt by someone at one time or another. That hurt can lie deep in our heart when we have been stripped naked of our outer wall that we thought would protect our feelings. It can be like a knife through our soul. So how can we really forgive someone. It can't be done on our own. We need to see the other person as Christ does. He loves them with infinite worth, no matter what their sin. Again, we are "commanded" to love. We see this in Leviticus 19:18
"Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD."
It is echoed in the New Testament. Christ knows how difficult it is for us to love and forgive those who have wronged us. In Matthew 18:21-22 it says:
"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."
When the teachers of the law were trying to trip Jesus up, again our Lord knew the greatest command involved love in Matthew 22:35-40:
"One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
There are consequences of unforgiveness in our lives. When Christ taught us to pray in Matthew 6:14-1514 he included the price of unforgiveness:
"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
If you have unforgiveness in your heart for someone who has hurt you, ask the Lord to give you love for them so that you can be free from bitterness and resentment.
I don't personally believe that true forgiveness is possible apart from Jesus Christ. He is the only one that can supply you with love for others and the ability to see them with the eternal eyes of heaven. Only then will you realize how much the other person means to the Lord and forgiveness is no longer a choice.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
Love?
I have been pondering the word "love". Is it a feeling, a mood, a seduction? Can we love on command? Does love belong to us or does it only come alive when we give it away? What does the Lord say about love? Since God is love is all love of God? Well no, not in the world's eyes.
Is unconditional love possible by people in a fallen world or does it only come from God?
I referenced the word "love" in the New Testament and it is cited 198 times. Some of these references are about how God's love but many of them are commands for "us" to love one another. It is what defines us as Christians and separates us from the world, it makes us holy. I guess that means we are to love on command. I guess that means it is a non negotiable command to love through Christ? I'm going to be on a journey with this one as it has been my new challenge.
Matthew 22:34-40
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Is unconditional love possible by people in a fallen world or does it only come from God?
I referenced the word "love" in the New Testament and it is cited 198 times. Some of these references are about how God's love but many of them are commands for "us" to love one another. It is what defines us as Christians and separates us from the world, it makes us holy. I guess that means we are to love on command. I guess that means it is a non negotiable command to love through Christ? I'm going to be on a journey with this one as it has been my new challenge.
Matthew 22:34-40
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Love
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels,
but have not love,
I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have a faith that can move mountains,
but have not love,
I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,
but have not love,
I gain nothing.
Love is patient,
love is kind.
It does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude,
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.
But where there are prophecies,
they will cease;
where there are tongues,
they will be stilled;
where there is knowledge,
it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
but when perfection comes,
the imperfect disappears.
When I was a child,
I talked like a child,
I thought like a child,
I reasoned like a child.
When I became a man,
I put childish ways behind me.
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror;
then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part;
then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.
Scripture is the most beautiful poetry. 1Corinthians 13 is a chapter often quoted at weddings. It means so much more than a wedding promise to me. As a Christian I need to emulate the qualities of this chapter.
I remember many years ago in a care group, we were required to substitute our own name where ever the word "love" or "it" (reference to love) appeared in verses 4 to 6. Try it. It is a very humbling experience.
but have not love,
I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have a faith that can move mountains,
but have not love,
I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,
but have not love,
I gain nothing.
Love is patient,
love is kind.
It does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude,
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.
But where there are prophecies,
they will cease;
where there are tongues,
they will be stilled;
where there is knowledge,
it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
but when perfection comes,
the imperfect disappears.
When I was a child,
I talked like a child,
I thought like a child,
I reasoned like a child.
When I became a man,
I put childish ways behind me.
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror;
then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part;
then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.
Scripture is the most beautiful poetry. 1Corinthians 13 is a chapter often quoted at weddings. It means so much more than a wedding promise to me. As a Christian I need to emulate the qualities of this chapter.
I remember many years ago in a care group, we were required to substitute our own name where ever the word "love" or "it" (reference to love) appeared in verses 4 to 6. Try it. It is a very humbling experience.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)