January 28, 2022 -- I Corinthians 13:4-5 -- Erasing the record of wrongs

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Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful…
I Corinthians 13:4-5 ESV

The word resentful in the New International Version is translated as the phrase ‘keeps no record of wrongs’. What a good description. A few days ago the name of someone, who I had not thought about for a long time, suddenly popped up in conversation. Prior to this conversation, if you’d asked me “are you resentful?” better yet, if you’d asked me “are you keeping a record of the wrongs someone has done against you?” I’d have honestly answered with a simple no. What changed?

Part of my work with Redemption Prison Ministry is helping men who are in drug and alcohol recovery. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 9 to 10 AM, I lead Bible Study classes. As part of their recovery the men are encouraged to examine their lives each day against 24 character traits. This is a self-examination which prompts them each one to privately ask himself: am I living in the way in which God requires the righteous to walk, or am I chaffing and rebelling? This January, as part of my New Year’s resolutions, I decided to complete a daily character inspection, using the same chart as the men do.

How helpful it is to see, for example, if I am being honest or deceitful, temperate or gluttonous, forgiving or resentful. The fact that these character inspections take place every day means that I am open to examining my life against the Word of God. The twenty four areas of inspection help me to think about areas of my life that might not, otherwise, be inspected. With the Spirit’s help, I determine as truthfully as I can, whether I am truly lining up my life and my actions in accordance with the will of my Father. It is because of this daily inspection I was made aware of my long dormant resentment.

Isn’t it beautiful that our Father in heaven keeps count of all the tears we have cried (Psalm 56:8)? Isn’t it amazing, that our Father in heaven, Who has perfect memory “keeps no record of our wrongs” (Psalm 130:3)? How is this true? It is the glorious fact that sins confessed, are sins that have been cleansed, washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ. Knowing this means there are a few things believers must recognize.

Forgiveness is costly. Sins have been punished. No one ‘got away’ with the sins they committed against you, against God, against creation, against others. Anyone who rejects God or refuses His mercy, will be punished in hell. It is a terrible and frightening thought! The believer recognizes this profound truth: sin has been fully punished. My sins, and the sins of all who are in Christ, these were put on the Person of Jesus Christ and at the cross He took up our punishment. When I think about the Father in heaven, Who in amazing love, gives to sinners like me forgiveness in Jesus Christ, I am humbled. It is the only way in which resentments can be released, because I know their wrong has been fully, and finally punished...or the wrong-doer's sins will be punished...in which case knowing from the Word how terrible hell is, I am driven to my knees praying for the one who formerly was my enemy.

Forgive me, Father in heaven for the times I have been able to name all the wrongs things someone committed against me, and yet at that same moment held up my hands to You and expected You to forgive me! What a contradiction asking for glorious forgiveness while I was myself wallowed in the wickedness of an unforgiving heart. Thank You that in view of the great love of Jesus Christ, forgiveness full and free can flow from Your throne of grace to believers and then such forgiveness, without any loss of efficacy or strength, can flow and overflow among believers so that the world can witness the truth of the Gospel when they exclaim: “see how those Christians love God and love one another”! Spirit of God, direct us deeper into the love of Jesus Christ so that our lives will declare the Greatness of God the Father, now and forevermore! Amen.

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