8 Above all, show sincere love to each other, because love brings about the forgiveness of many sins.
Reflection
I remember once when a couple who had been married many years told me about a positive turning point in their marriage. Often when they’d argue, they would go off to separate rooms for awhile, but the husband would always wait out the wife and so to end the argument, she would always apologize first. One day, she articulated to him how unfair this was and how it made her feel unequal in the relationship. This articulation of feeling was heard and from then on, if they’d argue, they would practically fight each other to be the first one to apologize! They both wanted to be the first to add healing into the situation. Their apologies truly came out of wanting the other person to feel loved, even during a disagreement.
The forgiveness of our sins, all our sins, comes purely out of God’s love for us. Often, we don’t truly apologize for the wrongs we’ve done. Our apologies can get lost in justifications. Our love for God, though, should invite us to want to truly apologize, even repent for what we have done wrong. God’s love for us is why God has forgiven us. Our love for others is what brings upon true forgiveness and release from resentment.
By Rachel Callender
For Pondering & Prayer
What has forgiveness looked like in your life? Is there a time you offered someone forgiveness or were offered forgiveness by someone purely out of their love for you?
Prayer: God of forgiveness, your love has shown us the power of forgiving others, the freedom it brings to both themselves and to ourselves. May we remember that this day and every day. Amen.
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