The Qualities of Love, Lesson 9

The Qualities of Love, Lesson 9

True Love does not keep a Record of Wrongs!

1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” NKJV

Mom and Dad called us kids together in 1995 and said, “If we have done anything to offend you in any way…if you have ought in your heart against us for any reason…get over it!  We’ve moved on!”

Have you ever felt like telling someone, “Hey, get over it!” Did you do it?  Were you right to do that?  Were you doing them a favor?

George Bush Sr. is said to have a “long memory.”  He was greatly feared in the Congress, for getting vengeance against his enemies long after they thought the fight was over.  He kept a mental record of wrongs.  He had a “get back” or “get even” spirit.  This seems wrong, and is wrong; but look at what the Bible says about God and Judgment?

Matthew 12:36-37, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment.  For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” 

God is obviously keeping a record of wrongs.  Is this a double standard?  No!  Why not? 

1.      He’s doing it for our profit. (Hebrews 12:9-11)

2.      With God, judgment is more a matter of rewarding us for what’s right, than punishing us for what’s wrong.  He’s keeping a record of rights as well as wrongs!  Punishment is missing the reward!  (1 Corinthians 3:14-15) 

The more we “think” along the lines of evil done to us, the more evil we will think we see in what was done to us.  IT grows worse!  This is when we begin to plot our retaliation.  So, don’t even start thinking along those lines.  Don’t let yourself be a victim!