1 Corinthians 13:5
Human heart is not merely a muscle pumping blood, but a sacred vessel—a container overflowing with love, compassion, and kindness. The state of our hearts greatly influences our inner well-being and outward actions. When our hearts are filled with grudges, hatred, and wounds, they consume us from within, draining us of joy and peace.
Imagine a dusty scroll, filled with every mistake, every unkind word, and every hurt from those you care about. It’s like a mental list we all carry—the one we’re tempted to look at when we’re hurt or want to defend ourselves. Think of this scroll, with every hurt written on it. It’s heavy, making us feel sad and unsure. When we look at it in tough times, it just makes us feel worse. Love is different—it doesn’t keep track of wrongs or use past hurts to hurt others. Love refuses to tally offenses, to harbour grudges or wield past hurts as weapons in present conflicts.
WoW! Love transcends the tally of offenses. It’s a force that erases the scorecard, liberating us from the burden of bitterness and resentment. Paul reminds us that love doesn’t keep track of wrongs—it releases them into the vast expanse of grace. Love creates space for healing, compassion, and reconciliation, fostering a heart that is light, free, and open to new beginnings. Our hearts have no room for bitterness or resentment; our hearts are at peace, anchored in the transformative power of love.
So, what’s on your list? Take a moment to reflect on those grievances, those wounds that have left their mark on your soul. Now, see them dissolving into the boundless ocean of God’s mercy, washed away by the tide of His unfailing love.
But perhaps you’re grappling with the practicality of such profound forgiveness. Maybe you’re asking, “When is enough enough?” Jesus addressed this very question in Matthew 18:21-35, urging us to forgive not just seven times, but seventy times seven—infinitely, relentlessly.
Consider the parable of the unforgiving servant: a debtor, drowning in an insurmountable debt, is pardoned by his master’s boundless compassion. Yet, he, in turn, refuses to extend that same mercy to a fellow servant. How often do we mirror this hypocrisy in our own lives?
Yet, in the shadow of the cross, where Jesus bore the weight of our sins, we find the ultimate example of forgiveness. He cancelled a debt we could never repay, offering us a clean slate, a fresh start.
As recipients of such extravagant grace, shouldn’t our default response be to extend that same grace to others? Forgive with no debt, release the grip of bitterness, and entrust justice to the hands of the One who is both just and merciful.
Today, let’s shred the list of wrongs, relinquishing our grip on past grievances and embracing the freedom that comes from unconditional love. Let’s embody the transformative power of forgiveness, becoming conduits of God’s grace in a world desperate for healing and reconciliation.
In the words of Paul in Colossians 3:13, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you have a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
May we reflect the boundless love of our Heavenly Father as we choose to love without keeping score, to forgive without limit, and to live out the radical grace of the Gospel.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your boundless grace and mercy. Teach us to love as You love, to forgive as You forgive. Help us release the grip of bitterness and resentment, shredding the lists of wrongs that weigh heavy on our hearts. May Your transformative power of forgiveness flow through us, bringing healing and reconciliation to our relationships and our world. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk