Jesus while dying on the cross said,
“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing....” Luke 23:34a.
Matthew’s gospel records,
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Matthew 18:21,22
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Matthew 5:43-45
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40
The apostle Paul wrote,
“Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.The apostle Paul also wrote,
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
Romans 12:9-18
The above scriptures are scriptures telling Christians how to live. Love and forgiveness being the principles that guide Christians.
In my mind one cannot be a Christian and not forgive. Jesus asked God to forgive those who beat and crucified Him on the cross and if we are Christians we must follow Christ’s example.
Jesus taught that we must love God, our neighbour and even our enemy. That we were to pray for our enemy.
We must pray for our enemy for to my way of thinking even our enemy needs to know the love of Christ. Need to accept Christ as their saviour.
The apostle Paul defines what love is and in his letter to the Romans makes it clear that our love must be sincere and as far as it depends on us to live at peace with everyone.
It is only when Christians learn these truths that we can truly reach the world.
Christianity is first and foremost a faith of love. And we should be known for that.
Please think about it.
