"[Love]
keeps no record of wrongs." (1 Cor 13: 5c
How would you feel if our Heavenly Father kept
records of all the wrong things you do? Would you like that? No way! And
good news, it isn't true. The Bible says, "...as
far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our
transgressions from us." (Ps. 103:12 NIV)
There is one who
condemns us, but it isn't Jesus: "Therefore, there is now no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." (Romans 8:1 NIV). The
one who condemns is the evil one. Even if you were perfect, the devil
will try to convince you that you aren't worthy of God, that you don't
belong to Him. This is a lie from the pit of hell. Truth says, "For God
so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16
NIV). Whenever the devil goes after you, remember John 3:16. God, the
Father, with Jesus, showed how much they love you. Jesus paid the price.
Yes, there are people who will put you down. There are people who
never forgive -- or forget! -- an offense. They are not exhibiting love,
for love keeps no record of wrongs!
Jesus was always accused by
the Pharisees. "Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who
pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said,
so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the
governor." (Luke 20:20 NIV). When you are accused, you are not alone.
Jesus knows what it is like to be accused, and He is with you. He loves
you.
Even while dying on the cross, Jesus showed that perfect,
uncondemning love. He even talked with the two criminals who hung one
each side of Him. Interestingly, it wasn't Jesus who called them
criminals, it was the Romans: "One of the criminals who hung there
hurled insults at him." (Luke 23:39 NIV). This criminal would not be
saved because he didn't want to hear anything about Jesus.
The
other criminal, on the other hand, rebuked him: "'Don't you fear God,'
he said, 'since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly,
for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing
wrong." (Luke 23: 40-41 NIV). This man then turned to Jesus and asked,
"Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom." (Luke 23:42 NIV).
Jesus showed love to that criminal. He did not hold his sin against him;
rather, He said, ""Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in
paradise." (Luke 23:43 NIV)
Let's follow Jesus' example. Let's
forgive and forget the offenses against us, for in doing so, we will be
showing perfect love.
Rob Chaffart