Forgiveness
I hope we all understand how important true love and forgiveness are in our friendships, families, and communities. But have you ever wondered where true love actually comes from?
According to the 1 John 4, love comes from God. God is love.
“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. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” —
It is part of who He is. He didn’t have to create us in order to love.
So, why do many of us find it hard to truly love and forgive others?
It’s simple: we cannot give what we haven’t received. God loved us first. Only after we receive God’s love and forgiveness can we learn to love and forgive others.
God showed His love and forgiveness by sending Jesus into this world. Through His words and actions, He taught us to love and forgive everyone, not just our friends, but even our enemies. He said we should bless those who curse us and pray for those who treat us badly.
When Jesus was hated, hurt, and persecuted, He didn’t fight back or ask others to fight for Him. He didn’t take revenge. Instead, He prayed to God to forgive those who hurt Him. Even when He died, He showed God’s love and forgiveness.
God gives the spirit of love and forgiveness to those who accept Jesus. He is the source of God’s love for those who believe in Him. After accepting Isa, people can truly love and forgive not only their friends and family but also their enemies.Dr Martin Luther King Jr once said:
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Dr King was inspired by Isa al-Masih’s teachings. Even when he faced cruelty and injustice, he did not fight back. Instead, he showed love and forgiveness. His peaceful spirit earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 at just 35 years old. Nelson Mandela also changed his community by following these same values.