Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.  

–Matthew 7:12

 

Check it out, and you’ll find that people who won’t forgive others are often living with the guilt and burden of their sins. It’s a miserable situation. If only they could forgive themselves. They would flip on the switch of forgiveness for others.

How can they forgive themselves?

The one thing they must do; accept God’s forgiveness. When we receive God’s forgiveness, we also get His love.  Love and forgiveness go hand in hand. God gives us His love in our hearts so we can love Him (Romans 5:5, 1 John 4:19).  Once we love God, we also love all people (1 John 4:20).

God’s love empowers us to forgive even those who hate us with cruelty.

Unforgiveness keeps sin exposed like an open sore. Offensive. Love is the medicine that covers it so it can heal out of sight. 

We can help those who find it difficult to forgive their sins when we cover them with the love of God in us. 

Be generous; slather them with so much love, it overpowers the stench of their sins. So all they see is the love of God that draws them to Him. As they come to God, they experience His love and forgiveness with joy.

Proverbs 10:12

Hatred stirs up strife,

But love covers all sins.

1Peter 4:8

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

If you love God, you’ll love and forgive yourself. In the same way, you’ll love and forgive others. 

Love is the four-letter word that doesn’t curse but dispenses a rich store of blessings, including forgiveness.

Will you use it today?