Topic: Forgiven and Loved [Saturday August 29, 2015]
“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”-1 Peter 4:8
We have all in one way or another received gifts from others. Some may be wrapped in fine boxes; however, when you remove the content from the box, the box becomes useless to you. Similarly, true love is wrapped in marriage. When you remove that love from your marriage, it is of no worth; it cannot stand. Love is therefore the foundation of marriage.
One vital aspect of love is its ability to forgive and let go of any offence, even before it is committed. There is a wonderful story in the Bible that analyses the forgiving aspect of true love. It is the story of Prophet Hosea and Gomer, the prostitute. God used this analysis to describe His love for Israel and humanity at large. It proved that no matter what the offence is, true love forgives all as if it never happened, whether forgiveness is asked for or not.
You might wonder how possible this is, but it is very possible if you choose to allow and grow in it. Yes, the above example involves the love of God, but if we are children of God and God is love, then we must be children of love and therefore, have His nature of love. We all make mistakes and just as we expect to be forgiven, so we ought to forgive others in return. However, it is not just forgiving in the moment that matters but accommodating excesses, thereby learning to forgive in advance.
What makes advance forgiveness easier in love is that, love naturally does not keep record of wrongs. It starts every day as new and expects good from everyone, especially family and friends. So, if you truly and sincerely love your spouse, children, relatives or that friend, then your character would be conformed to the nature of love; especially that of advanced forgiveness. It is practicing this that brings the above Scripture to fulfilment in you. By application, a better you is just beginning!
Remain Blessed!
Pastor Faith Abiola Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.
Click HERE to read other Daily Devotional written by Pastor Faith Oyedepo
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