God forgives us with the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The sacrifice of his son is the only way for God to forgive sins and still remain true to his nature.
When we forgive, we also make a sacrifice. We sacrifice our pride and our need to be right. Instead, show them love as outlined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a below.
- Love is patient. (don’t get irritated with them)
- Love is kind. (treat them kindly)
- It does not envy. (jealousy focuses on what you don’t have, instead of what you do have)
- It does not boast. (You boast to puff yourself up. Everything we have comes from God and we own nothing.)
- It is not proud. (We can do nothing. Everything is from God.)
- It is not rude. (Use good manners!)
- It is not self-seeking. (lookout for the other person first, pride looks out for us first)
- It is not easily angered. (forbearance; if you are mad about something, then you are not loving)
- It keeps no record of wrongs. (Doesn’t hold a grudge!)
- Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. (if you are thinking bad thoughts, then you aren’t loving that person; no revenge. Revenge is delighting in evil.)
- It always protects. (doesn’t hurt others)
- Always trusts. (mistrust is not showing love)
- Always hopes. (There’s always a chance for change.)
- Always perseveres. (never give up on someone)
- Love never fails. (There is always love. Even if everything else is gone, love is always there.)
Just as each relationship is different, so love’s expressions will be different for each person and relationship. Figure out how to love and bless the other person by using the 1 Corinthians verses above, then do them.
Yes, you have something to do, something to sacrifice, your pride and yourself. Just like Christ sacrificed himself for us, we pass along this sacrifice to others by loving them.
Thought Questions:
How are pride and love opposites?
What sacrifice do you need to make?
What steps can you take today to love someone you should forgive?