He who is devoid of the power to forgive, is devoid of the power to love.
~ Martin Luther King Jr.
There are Scripture after Scripture commanding us to love one another and the importance behind it. In my own personal life, I can attest to the power of love in forgiveness and how they are so intertwined.
I was faced with a seemingly hopeless situation requiring more forgiveness than a human is capable of. Instead of going down the path of bitterness, anger, and ugly … I prayed.
I prayed for, and was given to the point of overflowing, God’s all-consuming love. When my prayer was literally, immediately answered and I was filled with His great love, I was able to offer it to a person, who in my own human eyes, was completely undeserving of it. Not only were they undeserving of my love, they were equally, if not more so, undeserving of my forgiveness.
But as God’s love flowed through me, I was able to extend His love and ultimately, forgiveness to someone else. And because of this radical love, grace, and forgiveness, I was able to watch a hurting and broken person come to Christ.
Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other,
for love covers a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8 {NLT}
You see friends, love and forgiveness aren’t ours to hold on to. They’re meant to share and give away. Redemption, freedom, and joy come when we live how we’ve been commanded to live. <– tweet this
In the Gospel of Mark, we read an account where the teachers of the law ask Jesus, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this … ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Two Gospels over, in John chapter 13, we read of the Last Supper. During that meal Jesus is speaking to the disciples explaining what will come and leaving them with His last thoughts and commands. In verses 34 and 35, Jesus says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who
learn proper behavior from their parents.
Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with
him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us.
His love was not cautious but extravagant.
He didn’t love in order to get something from us
but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.
Ephesians 5:1-2 {MSG}
Oh to love like that! Here’s the thing … if we’re walking and living life everyday with Christ, as the Scripture above tells us we should be doing, a love like that is not only possible, but also a way of life. It’s something flowing through us that we’re not even aware of. I’m the first to admit loving, and forgiving are not always easy, but I’m proof it’s possible.
Matthew Henry says, “God is love; and those that dwell in love dwell in God and God in them.”
The above Scripture says God’s “love was not cautious, but extravagant.” The New Oxford American dictionary defines extravagant as “exceeding what is reasonable or appropriate; absurd.”
God has no “ifs.” I’ll love you if you promise to never-ever-never ever hurt me. I’ll love you if I feel like it. I’ll love you if you’re loveable. I’ll forgive if you ask for forgiveness. I’ll forgive if you’re really sorry and spend the rest of your life proving it to me.
God’s love isn’t cautious and has no restrictions. He doesn’t love us to get something from us. God has loved us before we were ever born … extravagantly.
Can we love like that?
If you’d like to keep up with 31 Days of Forgiveness, you can
sign up to get each post sent right to your inbox!
{read 31 days of forgiveness from the beginning}
Dear Tracie,
great posts on this subject and very timely in my life : )
Glad God has no ifs…I’d be in trouble if He did! Thanks, Tracie.
Pingback: love comes from god
Perhaps one of the most difficult lessons to learn…but so so worth it!
i love you, friend…
Pingback: forgiveness is an act of the will
Generally I don’t read article on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do it! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, very nice article.
Only wanna comment on few general things, The website pattern is perfect, the subject material is rattling excellent : D.
This paragraph will help the internet users for setting up new website or even a weblog from start to end.
Whats up very nice web site!! Man .. Excellent .. Wonderful .. I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally? I’m happy to search out a lot of useful info right here within the publish, we’d like develop extra strategies on this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea
F*ckin’ remarkable things here. I’m very glad to see your post. Thank you so much and i am looking forward to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?
My brother suggested I might like this web site. He was once totally right. This post actually made my day. You can not imagine simply how so much time I had spent for this info! Thank you!
Its like you read my thoughts! You appear to understand a lot approximately this, like you wrote the guide in it or something. I feel that you simply could do with a few percent to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, that is magnificent blog. An excellent read. I will certainly be back.
Greetings! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
I pay a visit day-to-day a few blogs and information sites to read posts, however this website offers feature based articles.
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! By the way, how can we communicate?
I simply want to mention I’m very new to blogging and site-building and definitely liked you’re web blog. Likely I’m likely to bookmark your blog post . You actually have tremendous articles. Thanks a bunch for sharing your web page.
This is a truly awesome admittance. Today coming from msn whilst browsing an identical material. I really had upwards what you were required to go over. Maintain the truly amazing work!
I simply wanted to send a comment so as to appreciate you for all the great ideas you are writing at this website. My time consuming internet research has finally been rewarded with beneficial details to talk about with my great friends. I would declare that most of us site visitors are definitely fortunate to dwell in a remarkable community with so many marvellous professionals with valuable strategies. I feel truly blessed to have discovered the webpages and look forward to many more awesome minutes reading here. Thank you once again for a lot of things.
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is great blog. An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.
As a Newbie, I am permanently searching online for articles that can be of assistance to me. Thank you
Fantastic goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely great. I actually like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it sensible. I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is actually a terrific site.
Hello.This article was extremely interesting, especially since I was searching for thoughts on this topic last Sunday.
I have been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or weblog posts in this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this website. Studying this info So i am glad to show that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I came upon just what I needed. I so much undoubtedly will make sure to do not put out of your mind this website and provides it a glance regularly.
I just could not leave your web site before suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard information an individual provide to your visitors? Is gonna be again frequently in order to inspect new posts
Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the internet the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people think about worries that they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
I¡¦ve recently started a site, the information you offer on this web site has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work.
Normally I don’t read article on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, quite great post.
As I web site possessor I believe the content material here is rattling wonderful , appreciate it for your hard work. You should keep it up forever! Best of luck.
Thanks for your entire hard work on this site. My mother take interest in carrying out research and it is obvious why. We learn all concerning the powerful way you deliver practical strategies via this web site and cause contribution from some other people on this area while our own simple princess is studying a lot of things. Take pleasure in the remaining portion of the year. Your conducting a remarkable job.
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Needed to draft you that bit of word so as to give thanks once again considering the stunning guidelines you’ve contributed above. This is certainly wonderfully open-handed with you to give without restraint all most people could possibly have offered for sale for an e-book to help make some bucks for themselves, most notably considering the fact that you could have done it if you ever wanted. These good tips additionally worked to become easy way to comprehend other people have the same dream the same as my own to see more and more on the topic of this condition. I’m certain there are thousands of more pleasurable occasions in the future for many who read your blog post.
Wonderful work! That is the type of info that are meant to be shared around the web. Disgrace on Google for now not positioning this publish upper! Come on over and talk over with my website . Thank you =)
Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed! Very helpful info particularly the last part :) I care for such information much. I was looking for this certain information for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.
Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossips and net and this is actually irritating. A good website with interesting content, this is what I need. Thanks for keeping this web site, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can not find it.
Great blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
I actually wanted to jot down a quick comment so as to appreciate you for all of the magnificent solutions you are posting on this website. My extensive internet investigation has at the end of the day been paid with reliable points to share with my visitors. I would believe that we site visitors are very much lucky to exist in a decent website with very many special people with great opinions. I feel quite lucky to have seen your entire web page and look forward to really more fabulous moments reading here. Thanks a lot once again for a lot of things.
I have been checking out some of your articles and i can claim pretty good stuff. I will definitely bookmark your blog.
Wow! Thank you! I permanently needed to write on my website something like that. Can I implement a part of your post to my website?
Hey very nice web site!! Guy .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally¡KI’m happy to find a lot of helpful information right here in the put up, we need develop more strategies in this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
My wife and i have been absolutely fortunate when Jordan managed to complete his studies by way of the ideas he came across through the web site. It’s not at all simplistic to just continually be offering facts many others could have been selling. And now we understand we need the website owner to thank because of that. The specific explanations you made, the straightforward blog navigation, the friendships you aid to promote – it’s got all incredible, and it’s really facilitating our son in addition to the family consider that that topic is entertaining, which is unbelievably essential. Thanks for all!
Good ¡V I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related info ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, site theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Excellent task..
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly return.
It¡¦s really a great and useful piece of information. I am satisfied that you simply shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
you are in point of fact a good webmaster. The site loading pace is amazing. It kind of feels that you’re doing any unique trick. Also, The contents are masterwork. you have performed a excellent task in this matter!
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.
I have been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.
I and my friends happened to be reviewing the excellent key points from the website and so unexpectedly came up with a terrible suspicion I never thanked the site owner for those secrets. All of the ladies ended up consequently glad to learn them and now have honestly been taking advantage of them. Appreciation for indeed being really considerate and for opting for this sort of useful subject matter millions of individuals are really eager to understand about. My sincere regret for not expressing gratitude to you sooner.
Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!