Love is What??

Remember these old "love is" comics? I couldn't help but think of them this morning as we continued our study in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 :

" Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own,(it is others centered --does what would help them) is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered (does not keep a record of wrongdoing) does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.........

Love forgives and then forgets...just like God did for us through Christ! How can I, who have been forgiven for so much--not forgive??

Ephesians 4:31-32 says "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."

2 Corinthians's 5:19 says that "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation."

God is not keeping a record of wrong doing of us against Him...and we should not keep a record of wrongdoing of another against us either. The Lord tells us in Jer. 31:34 ..."I will forgive their sin and remember it no more.." and again in Is 43:25 and in Matt. 18:21-22 Peter asks the Lord how many times shall I forgive my brother?..Up to seven times?? and Jesus said to him, "not seven times, but up to seventy times seven." Whoa!... I even ask God every time I say the Lord's Prayer to forgive my trespasses (just exactly like I forgive)as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Sure makes me stop and think. How do I forgive those who hurt me?? Do I forgive them just exactly like the Lord forgave me??? Ouch!! This is something I definitely need to pray about and surely be more mindful of. I can forgive ...but do I forget or keep it tucked away in my heart..do I keep a record?.........