Love Worth Sharing

Follow Jesus' Example

Throughout his life, Jesus loved the people who mocked, fought, and tortured him. He forgave even while he was still in pain. When we are experiencing pain inflicted by others, sometimes forgiveness seems unfair. Jesus knows exactly how that feels. When we struggle to forgive, we can ask Jesus to give us his strength and love for others.

Release Your Burdens

Children sometimes carry a toy so long it becomes a health hazard. Comfortable with the dirty item, they’re unwilling to let go, even if a parent offers a significantly better trade. Sometimes we carry a grudge so long it becomes part of us. Like the child, we can only understand the valuable gift of peace God offers if we release that burden.

They Don't Understand

Informing someone you forgave them can do more harm than good if they don’t recognize the wrong or are unwilling to admit they’ve caused hurt. Some individuals are unable to accept truth due to mental, emotional, or spiritual deficiencies. Jesus understood this when he asked God to forgive his attackers, adding, “They don’t know what they’re doing.”

Serve Up Forgiveness

Holiday meals are a buffet of conflicting memories and perspectives. This year, bring a side dish of forgiveness for difficult relatives. Ask forgiveness from those you may have hurt. Family members might notice your ability to interact kindly, so—as 1 Peter 3:15 suggests—prepare to gently explain Jesus’s example of forgiving. Your example could create a whole new holiday dynamic.

Live Within Boundaries

Forgiveness doesn’t equal blind trust. In Matthew 18, Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive. Jesus says to forgive over and over. But this doesn’t mean we enable bad behavior, live without boundaries, or trust those who’ve harmed us. Some relationships can heal, but if others aren't willing to make a change, we may need to remove ourselves or limit contact. A counselor can help.

No Record of Wrongs

In Matthew 6, Jesus commands forgiving others. He wants us to be free to serve him. If we carried a record of wrongs, a page written daily would create a 365-page book by year’s end. After five years, the book would block our view of Jesus. How could we see to follow where he leads? God’s servants must forgive to follow him.

Release The Weight

Ephesians 4 commands us to forgive because holding a grievance affects us more than it affects the person who hurt us. Imagine treading water while holding a twenty-pound weight. You know the weight will eventually exhaust and drown you. Would refusing to release it be logical? And yet, we refuse to release the weight of unforgiveness which drags us down spiritually.

No One Is Perfect

No one is perfect. And the result of imperfection, or sin, is separation from God. But John 3:16 says God loved YOU so much that he allowed Jesus to take your punishment. Whoever believes in Jesus will experience eternal life and forgiveness. He will remove the burden weighing you down. Through forgiveness, you can have this gift.

Seek Forgiveness

Learning we’ve unintentionally hurt someone can be a surprise. Whether our words and actions were careless or simply misunderstood, compassion for others must be more important than our pride. First John 1:9 says that confession, or agreeing with God about sin, restores our relationship with him. In a similar way, approaching others with humility to ask their forgiveness can strengthen human relationships.

God Removed It

We’ve all mentally replayed an interaction that could have gone better, but continually dwelling on our regrets isn’t healthy. Throughout the Bible, God provides examples of the forgiveness he offers, and none of the verses include ongoing punishment after forgiveness. We need to learn to forgive ourselves and —when the shame resurfaces—remember God has removed it.

Never Too Far Gone

Maybe you’ve done something you feel is unforgivable. Here’s good news: in Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of a young man who turned his back on everything and wasted what his father gave him, but when he returned home and asked for forgiveness, his father welcomed him. This parable mirrors God’s love. You are not beyond his forgiveness.

Letting Go

“I forgive” isn’t just a response to an apology. Jesus wanted his followers to understand forgiveness. In the New Testament, “forgiveness” appears over 60 times. In the original Greek, words for forgiveness vary in meaning, but often carry the idea of “release,” and “deliverance.” When we forgive, we release the offender. And when we accept Jesus’s forgiveness, he delivers us from the weight of our sin.