“Love… it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV)
I read it and conviction sweeps in, about knocks me off the kitchen stool where I’m currently perched. I immediately visualize my red-stained list.
Nearly a year ago I wrote out a record of offenses against me. It was therapeutic and Spirit-led; a simple exercise to get the hurt out of my heart and onto watercolor paper. Once I had compiled the list, I splashed a streak of brightest red pigment over every transgression, signifying it’s intentional placement under the blood. When the offense would resurface in my mind, I’d again picture the red paint seeping over the text and remind myself it was forgiven.
But I kept the list.
Even now, it’s in my day planner. I remember every detail on it. I don’t know why I kept it. At first, I suppose, to remind me to forgive. But somewhere along the way it’s become a testament to my battle scars; a look-what-I’ve-survived prideful sort of thing. Today I realized it was more than that. I’ve kept the list so I can compound the total. So that when new repercussions rattle my life I can return to the list and add to the sum.
This morning I am reminded, love keeps no record of wrongs.
Recently Max Lucado guest spoke on the Proverbs 31 podcast. He was promoting his new book “How Happiness Happens” and I honestly tuned in because I could use some more happiness. Of course, his book has many chapters but in this particular podcast he felt pressed to speak about the pages on forgiveness. He shared, point blank, how unforgiveness impedes personal happiness. I nodded in agreement until he said to bury the list of offenses in the backyard. Have a funeral, say your goodbyes and move on.
Initially, I was taken aback. Until this morning’s scripture confirmed Max Lucado’s instructions. It’s not enough just to forgive. True Love Himself asks us to keep no record. To forget and begin again. To live and love as He did.
I want to argue, to explain how justified I am in my list-keeping. But instead, I return to the cross. To our lovely, bleeding, innocent, Savior. He’s struggling for breath but still speaks words of infinite grace and wisdom even as He stretches out to die for crimes He didn’t commit.
“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:32 NIV)
Just as Jesus’ executioners had no idea of the breadth of the act they were participating in, my offenders were equally oblivious. They didn’t plot against me. No, like all offenders, they were driven by their own fears and appetites without regard for the fallout to come. And isn’t that the way of it for all of us? Don’t we each sin against God and others with little, if any, regard for the repercussions of our actions in the larger world?
Yet, God forgave before the totals came in. He agreed to pay the price before the final sum could be calculated. For most of us, He prepared forgiveness on our behalf before our first breath. He keeps no record of wrongs and don’t we long to be made like Him?
As it turns out, today is a good day to hold a funeral.
Lord, please give us the courage to throw away our record even as the totals still come in. Supernaturally enable us to forgive in real time, or even ahead of offense. May we give each person a clean slate every day. Embolden us to love as radically as You do. Amen.