“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
One of the most challenging aspects of love is that it doesn’t keep a record of wrongs. When someone hurts us, our natural tendency is to file that offense away and pull it out later when we need ammunition. But Paul says love “does not take into account a wrong suffered.” This doesn’t mean we ignore sin or pretend hurt didn’t happen—it means we don’t hold that memory against someone anymore. We forgive and release. Here’s the hard truth: whenever we refuse to forgive someone, we’ve climbed onto God’s throne and decided we’re the judge of their motives and actions. That’s not our place.
Forgiveness is especially difficult when someone can’t see their own sin or when the hurt keeps happening. In those moments, we have to remember that we do the same thing to others—maybe not in the same way, but in other ways. God, in His extreme mercy, has forgiven us and released us. Motivated by the love and forgiveness God has shown us, we can release and forgive others. It’s probably not because they deserve it, but because we didn’t deserve God’s forgiveness either, and He gave it freely. Part of forgiveness is looking for the best in that person and recognizing we’re all in a sanctification process. Can you give others room to grow as they’re being made more like Christ, just as you need that same grace?
Reflect:
- Is there someone you’re keeping a record of wrongs against? What would it look like to release that today?
- How does remembering your own need for God’s forgiveness help you extend forgiveness to others?
- Pray for the strength to forgive someone who has hurt you. Ask God to help you see them through His eyes and to release any bitterness you’re holding.
