This past week I have been posting on this theme: “Fill in the blank: Love is________.”
Just one more.
Love is forgiveness.
My friend and mentor Charlie “Tremendous” Jones told me when we were working on our book, Forgiveness is Tremendous, that he thought forgiveness was love in action. I cannot argue with that. Certainly forgiveness is one of the most precious fruits from flexing the muscle of love. He said, would you really change the meaning of these verses if you replace the word “love” with the word “forgiveness” in the Bible?
Matthew 5:44 (NIV) But I tell you, forgive your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
John 3:16 (NIV) For God so forgave the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 13:34-35 (NIV) A new command I give you: forgive one another. As I have forgiven you, so you must forgive one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you forgive one another.
I think Peter made a similar assertion in 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV) when he said, Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. There is a very strong link between love and forgiveness. Consider the following passages:
Exodus 34:6-7 (NIV) The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.
Numbers 14:19 (NIV) In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.
Psalms 86:5 (NIV) You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.
Luke 7:47 (NIV) Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.
1 Corinthians 13:5 [Love] keeps no record of wrongs [i.e., love is forgiveness].
Ephesians 4:32-5:2 (NIV) Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Colossians 3:13-14 (NIV) Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
If we really love God, if His love is really in our hearts, it can’t help but bear the fruit of forgiveness; because forgiveness is at the core of God’s love for us. If we really love one another, if God’s love is really the well from which that love spring forth, it will show in having a forgiving spirit towards one another.
Charlie was right. Love is forgiveness.
Learning To Be Full Of Grace And Truth. 
Forgiveness is a tough one here. One I must do eventually but not something I’m ready for. I guess god isn’t in my heart yet. /frown
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Hey, you are working on trying to forgive those “men.” You are willing to at least try to meet with one who is expressing remorse. I don’t think its fair to yourself to just look at this one instance. The question is, are you forgiving in the day to day? If not, that is a problem. If you are (and I think you are) you are struggling to forgive people who did the “unforgivable” and who do not care to be forgiven. That is the hardest, the absolute hardest thing to forgive. You are moving in the right direction, keep moving. Do not worry about speed, concentrate on direction.
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In other words do I forgive the guy who cut me off, or swore at me or upset me over something totally not worth me being mad over yes. It’s not even worth being angry over. Do I slip and get angry sometimes yes. But it never lasts and I wouldn’t ever wish harm to come to them.
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Yes, and even more personal offenses, such as by people you know and love. When a friend doesn’t keep their promise, or when a family member goes off on you, etc. If you are forgiving in these things, you are on the right track.
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Friends and family aren’t worth being mad at for long. Anger takes to my energy that can be put to better use. So I don’t generally harbor hate. It saps your energy so you have to let it go.
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Then, my friend, I think you are headed in the right direction.
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Great post. Forgiveness is a process as much as it is a journey.
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Michelle, I would disagree with you when you say that “I guess God is not in my heart yet.” The fact that you recognize that it is something that “must be done eventually” and the fact that you have learned any forgiveness after all you have been through is a sure sign to me that God has been working in your heart. Would that many mature Christians would be quick to admit and recognize that forgiveness is something that “must be done”. God does not change us overnight but He works in us to bring us to be more like Jesus our perfect example.
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