Giving Is Not (Always) Love
every member of the Body of Christ is specially gifted. And God wants us to have a good balance of the Gifts of the Spirit and the Fruit of the spirit.
every member of the Body of Christ is specially gifted. And God wants us to have a good balance of the Gifts of the Spirit and the Fruit of the spirit.
Only Jesus truly satisfies. His Word is the unending source of hope.
Come to Jesus, let Him fill and satisfy the longings of your heart. Believe His Word, let it renew your mind; giving you hope for each new day.
Put an end to your search for God today: follow Jesus the only Way to the God, the only Truth and the real essense of Life.
I was in a couples’ meeting not too long ago where the following question was asked; ‘what will you do if your spouse forgets your birthday?’ …… My response was; ‘It’s complicated!!?
Let me quickly say that, that is not the kind of ‘forgetting’ this write-up is about? . Staying committed to celebrating one another, especially our loved ones, is one of the ways we express our love for them.
I hear people sometimes say….”I forgive you, but I cannot forget”. Well, I personally used to think that it is difficult to easily get rid of bad memories (not that I am harbouring any hurt) but to just forget?….hmm..?
First Corinthians 13:5 has been popping up on my mind of late and this verse of scripture says (referring to LOVE)….
“…. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.“
1 Corinthians 13:5 NLT
“It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured.“
1 Corinthians 13:5 AMP
If love keeps no record of evil or wrong done, it means love forgets such things.
Here is the thing, if people close to us never hurt us, chances are that they’re not being their best selves while around us. Meaning also that we don’t know such people so well, and so, we are not enjoying the best possible relationship with them?. Trust me, you don’t want total clones all around you….(kind of boring)
There is no doubt that our encounters with people is what helps us understand them better. Becoming offended or hurt is still part of the process (we’re getting to know people). My thought is that First Corinthians 13:5 is not necessarily saying we should not remember past experiences from relationships, if that were the case we would be making same mistakes over and over again and hurting people over and over again of same issues (selah). We will never learn how best to relate with different people and enjoy the best of relationships with them.
I believe that this portion of scripture is saying….. we are not to make a habit of recounting or rehashing negative experiences either to ourselves or to those who hurt us. We should not dwell on them because such practice could stir up impure thoughts, strife and hatred in us.
Love forgets. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love is not overly-sensitive. Love is not easily hurt.
Brethren, we are of God (Galatians 3:26). God is love (I John 4:8), we should also declare same of ourselves.
Romans 5:5 says God’s love has been lavishly poured in our hearts… .it’s there, within us, let’s draw from it. …
“….. God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Romans 5:5 AMP
God forgives and forgets….and so should we.
“bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.”
Colossians 3:13 AMP
Help us Lord!
Have you been seeking to know who God is? When you receive Jesus into your heart, you begin a journey of a sweet and intimate relationship with the Father.
Jesus paid the ultimate price to save you. Reciprocate His love; confess Him as your Lord and Personal Saviour today.
The love of God is pure, selfless, sacrificial and eternal. You can receive God’s gift of Eternal Life today receiving His gift of Jesus. Let Jesus into your heart.
Do you feel resentment at someone else’s achievement, possession, or qualities? Do you sometimes think you’re best suited for certain things except that perhaps the other person is more fortunate? Would you sometimes feel better if you were recognized as contributing to these achievements, possessions or qualities? (happens!). Worst still, do you quickly arrange and project your own achievements, possessions and qualities instead of recognizing and rejoicing with the other person? Well these sound more like envy than in love?
Receive LIFE today; when you receive Jesus. Make Him your Lord and personal saviour.
When you have Jesus, you have life to its fullness and untill it overflows.