FAITHFULWORD.ORG | TEACHINGS

Matthew 5:45-48; I John 4:19-21; 5:1-3; Matthew 5:23, 24; 6:14, 15; 25, 43-45; Luke 23:34; Matthew 7:1-5; Ephesians 4:31, 32; Romans 12:17-21; I Peter 2:21-23; Ephesians 4:32; 5:1,2

WGod’s love compels us to be like Him and love compels us to be forgiving. This is the love of God, that which is latent in the gift of holy spirit. For a true believer, love is a way of life, without hypocrisy, without partiality. Love is not reciprocal, like natural love, but flows from a pure heart of godliness, in the life of an individual whose mind is renewed with the truth of God’s Word.

The very ability we have to love our God and others is based upon God’s first loving us. God’s commandments are not grievous, even though it may seem the opposite is true. We are not to harbor feelings of ill-will or bitterness toward another who has wronged us. Instead we are to be forgiving.

It is totally improper to have broken fellowship with a brother and act like we are walking with God. Yet the devil will often deceive us into thinking we are walking in fellowship when we are actually in a state of sin.

Love compels us to be forgiving, as our heavenly Father has forgiven us. This is a commandment and is not grievous. When we do not forgive, we are in a state of broken fellowship, which is sin. God’s Word says in Matthew that if we do not forgive men their trespasses, our Father will not forgive us ours. This is a rather sobering thought.

If we have wronged someone, we should go quickly to that person and ask forgiveness. Even if they do not forgive us, we should make an attempt. God’s Word exhorts us to pray for our enemies. It is difficult to remain mad at someone if we pray for them.

Our greatest example is Jesus Christ. When he was on the cross after being beaten, lied about, persecuted and spit upon, his prayer to his Father was “Forgive them; for they know not what they do.” No one who had wronged him came to him and asked for forgiveness. He prayed out of a heart of love. Rather than allowing bitterness, resentment, anger and hatred in his life, Jesus Christ chose to love and forgive - to be perfect as his Father in heaven is perfect. We are to walk in love, as Christ loved us. We are to do what Jesus would do.

Let us take the time today to search our hearts for ill-feelings we may have toward others. We should forgive and pray for them. Love is a way of life - without hypocrisy or partiality. Love flows from a pure heart. One way it manifests itself is through forgiveness.