The Important Truth About Love and Forgiveness
Sin hurts! Our lives are hurt by our sins, the sins of others, and the general effects that sin has had on our world since that first sin in the Garden.
Sin is a problem that requires help and change which the Bible tells us are found in the love and forgiveness that is given to us by God to be shared with others.
David wrote…
O Lord, You are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for Your help.
Psalm 86:5
And Paul wrote…
Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.
Colossians 3:13b
The truth about love and forgiveness is that we have what we need to love and forgive the people who sin against us because God has shown us unfailing love and forgiveness through Jesus.
He commands us to forgive as He has forgiven us.
And the good news is that there is a blessing in the truth about love and forgiveness…
Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,
Proverbs 17:9
but dwelling on it separates close friends.
Simply put…
Forgiveness is an act of love that shows people God’s love.
I think that’s why the enemy works so hard to destroy our relationships … with God and with each other.
He continuously…
- Reminds us of the times that person has hurt us before and prompts us to remind them just in case they’ve forgotten. AKA – rehash the past.
- And then, he tempts us to share our anger and frustration with anyone who will listen.
That’s why modeling God’s love and forgiveness is so important. His love and forgiveness change lives and bless relationships.
You see, God-like forgiveness looks like this:
1. It is the complete pardon of the offense that wipes the record clean.
2. It frees us from feelings of resentment and anger.
3. It cancels the debt and determines that payment (payback) is no longer required.
God-like forgiveness doesn’t mean we are denying the wrong or the pain. It’s simply deciding to release the person who hurt us and free ourselves of bitterness and the need for revenge.
Because of His love and desire to forgive, God sent Jesus to pay the price and the penalty for our sins. His love and forgiveness are so great that He says when we confess and repent, He will respond and say, “You don’t owe Me. My Son paid your debt. I forgive you. I love you. Trust Me.”
And that’s how God wants us to forgive each other. He wants us to say, “You don’t owe me. Jesus paid my debt. My sins have been forgiven and I forgive you because I want to be a physical example of God’s love and forgiveness.”
That’s what Jesus meant when He said…
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
John 13:34–35
I know it’s not easy. I know it’s not what comes naturally to our sinful human nature. But it is God’s nature and He promises to help us when we surrender ourselves to His will … when we follow His commands to love and forgive.
So, let’s pray and ask God to give us strength to love and forgive like Jesus…
A Prayer for Love and Forgiveness to Cover Our Lives
Father God, Your love is so great. We are sinners deserving of punishment. I am a sinner who deserves Your punishment. But You sent Jesus who showed Your love and forgiveness as He showed us how to share Your love and forgiveness with others.
Please forgive me. I know I’m tempted to make excuses for my sins but let anger and frustration influence my reaction to the pain caused by someone else. I don’t forgive the way You command … the way You want.
Your Word says that You will forgive me the way I forgive others. So, I ask You to please work in my heart and mind and give me everything I need to share Your love and forgiveness the way You command and Jesus lived.
I want to bless my relationships. I want to forgive and make love prosper in my relationships. I want everyone I know to see You in me. Please fill me with Your Spirit. Please guide me with Your love. Please help me live for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Here are just a few quotes about love and forgiveness that I hope will bless and encourage you…
“The voice of sin is loud, but the voice of forgiveness is louder.” ~ Dwight L. Moody
“Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.” ~ Corrie Ten Boom
“As long as you live on earth, you won’t see the end of injustices. Yet God desires for you to let go of injustices and hold on to His grace. Only He can give you the power to forgive those who have hurt you the deepest.” ~ Paul Chappell
Forgiving isn’t easy but it is necessary if we want to live the life God wants for us. We need love and forgiveness and so does everyone around us.
May the Lord bless you and give you the strength you need to love and forgive like Jesus.
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Yes! We all need love and forgiveness, and giving thanks to God, we should be ready to love and forgive others.
Blessings, Deb!
Amen, Martha! By His grace and with His help we can have what we need to love and forgive. Have a wonderful day! Blessings!
It is not easy to forgive when someone keeps hurting you. It is necessary though. It helps! Forgetting is the hardest thing. Especially when the hurt is always there. You learn to distance yourself from that person or persons. I am a Christian and I always want to trust and obey and follow the teachings of Christ; to follow His ways and to be Christlike.
I am grateful for this post. It has verses that will continue to help me and heal.
Thank you for this wisdom and for your caring. May God continue to bless you in every way, my dear friend. Blessing and Hugs!!
Thank you for your kindness. I continue to pray for your hurting heart. What a blessing to know that we are not alone in this journey … the Lord walks with us and gives us each other to love and encourage. Praying that your week is going well. Hugs!
Thanks Deb for the great words and prayers to help me to Love and forgive. It is easy to say I forgive but as long as I have anger, resentment, there is no forgiveness. Please help me Lord to Love and forgive the way you have for me. May your Advocate Holy Spirit live in me to give me grace to forgive and love my enemies.
Blessings Deb
Amen, Ana. By His grace with the help of His Spirit … those are the only ways we can have all that we need to forgive when it’s hard. God’s richest blessings!
Deb, this is a tremendous post! One of your best and so needed for me. God’s timing is perfect. He hears the cries of His children. And He answers prayers they haven’t even prayed yet. I will be sharing this everywhere I can dear sister. Prayers for you and Rev.
Thank you, Horace! I really appreciate your kind words of encouragement. After all these years, you would think I would stop marveling at the Lord’s perfect timing. But it continues to be one of the ways He loves to surprise and remind us that He is actively at work in us and around us every single day. Thanks for sharing this word. And thank you for your prayers. Blessings!