Love + Forgiveness = GOD

The Bible says that GOD IS LOVE. Do you realize that the connection between love and forgiveness is God Himself? God could not express His love to us without offering part of Himself as the sacrifice in forgiveness. The two are inseparable concepts.

If we are created to be 'conformed to the image of Christ' - then we too must show our love to others by offering our forgiveness when someone has wronged us. We might not feel like forgiving - thinking that a person does not deserve our forgiveness for the wrong they have done to us. But no matter how severe that wrong may be - unforgiveness cannot dwell with the love God desires for each of us to possess and to offer back to another.

Over and over the LORD says to me, "You must offer a person the same compassion, mercy and grace that I have offered to you. When you were neck deep in blatant sin - My only Son, JESUS, died for you!"

1 John 4:7-10

God's Love and Ours

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Matthew 10:8b

Freely you have received, freely give.

1 John 4:19-21

19 We love because He first loved us. 20 If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Luke 7:46-48

46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." 48 Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

Numbers 14:19a

In accordance with Your great love, forgive the sin of these people... [all emphasis mine]

God's LOVE in ACTION = FORGIVENESS

We must offer the same to others.

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[Trusting God's Heart]