Thinks No Evil

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

The greatest proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit in an individual or a congregation is the expression of agape love. But what is love? Today we’ll continue to look at Holy Spirit directed love as found in the love chapter of the Bible….1 Cor 13!

 

We pick it up in verse 5, where we have another example of what agape is not! 1Co 13:5 agape love thinks no evil.  

 

The word “thinks” here is interesting. It means “inventory,” and inventories speak of lists. With the agape love of Jesus flowing through our veins we do not keep a record of our neighbor’s wrongs (evils) against us. Oh Jesus, help me out with this one!

Ps 130:3,4 reminds us of the agape love of our heavenly Father,  3 If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.

 

God does not keep a list of our wrongs against Him and as His children we should not keep a list of sins against us. He wipes the dry erase board clean with the blood of Jesus.

 

How many times should we forgive our neighbors sins against us? Mt 18:21 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"  22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

 

Forgive often, forgive completely lest the inventory of sins and bitterness grows in your heart.

 

And before you partake in the Lord’s support where God promises to remove that list of sins against you, be sure to wipe your slate clean with your brother or sister!

 

 

 

Mt 5:23 "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,  24 "leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

 

Think no evil. Do away with your list of grievances against others, it’s not only wise, it is necessary.  Mt 6:15 "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word