Daily Worship

Love doesn’t keep a record of wrongs

Norah Summers February 11, 2022 0 3
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1 Corinthians 13: 5, Matthew 6:14-15 (NIVUK)

(1 Corinthians 13) 5 It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

(Matthew 6) 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

I am writing just after celebrating Burns Night and hearing again that wonderful phrase about Tam O’Shanter’s wife ‘nursing her wrath to keep it warm’. How understandable, how human.

We all have experiences where someone has hurt us, and the memory won’t go away. It was forty years ago, but it still bothers us. It was just a passing remark but it really stung.

Could we think back to disentangle what the other person was going through at the time? Was he or she really deliberately hurtful, or was there some unfortunate misunderstanding? Was everyone concerned just caught up in a situation nobody could control? Is there someone harbouring some grudge against us?

Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.

Love your neighbour.

Let it go.

Yes, it’s easier said than done.

But this is love.
which is priceless,
but not without cost.

 

PRAYER:

 

Loving God,

God of the love which forgives,

seventy times seven,

teach us to love ourselves and others,

giving proper respect and worth to all your people.