December 11 - Love & Forgive In Wisdom.

Proverbs 17:9
“He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.”
 
The Love of God covers all sins.
We can find and give forgiveness because of Him.
 
1 John 4:7-11
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”
 
We do well when we forgive those that have wronged us. Christ commands us to do so, for if we do not show mercy and forgiveness to others, we will not receive it ourselves. However, sometimes when we forgive a person they repeat the injustice toward us again which begins to separate that which was restored.
 
Matthew 18:21-22
“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
 
As often as we are wronged, the more often we must forgive.
Christ said to forgive not just seven times, but seventy times seven. He also said that we must turn the other cheek to those who have smitten us.
 
Matthew 5:38-39
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
 
We show the love of Christ by giving those who have wronged us another chance. He wants us to show them mercy and grace just as He has shown us.
 
Matthew 5:44
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
 
We best display the love of God when we love and forgive those who have wronged us.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Hosea 4-6  |  Hebrews 11  |  Proverbs 11