Love Is-

Part 4: Forgiving

Matthew 9:1-7, Mark 2: 1-12, Luke5: 17-26

This week is our fourth and final installment of the Love Is series. In the first week, we learned that Love is observant and notices the needs of the Beloved. The following week, we discovered that Love is active and works on behalf of the Beloved. Last week, we discussed steadfastness as an attribute of Love. Love perseveres in the face of trials.

 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things?  Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” (Mark 2:1-12 NIV)

Love is Forgiving

We have considered the actions of the four men who brought the paralyzed man to Jesus in the past three weeks. This week, let’s look at the actions of Jesus. In the Mark 2 account, we read that Jesus saw the men and observed their needs and their faith. Jesus spoke (action) to the men and offered healing to the paralyzed man. Jesus did not back down because of the disapproval of others; He was steadfast in His care of and for the paralyzed man. Jesus offered forgiveness. Jesus knew that spiritually, the man required forgiveness over and above his need for physical healing. Jesus forgave the paralyzed man.

Jesus is our example of Love.

 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. (1 John 3:16 NIV)

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NIV)

 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 NIV)

Who is a God like you,
    Who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
    Of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever.
    But delight to show mercy.
You will again have compassion on us;
    You will tread our sins underfoot.
    And hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:18-19NIV)

If our example of how to Love is Jesus, how do we live out Love? As Christ’s followers, how do we demonstrate Love to those around us? These questions can not be rhetorical in our lives; we are required to learn to Love. If we are obedient to Christ, Love is essential in our everyday interactions with others.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35 NIV)

Love is an action; Love is a decision. Love can be difficult. Love is not optional for us as sinners saved by grace! What does forgiving Love look like in our lives? Here are some of the Scripture passages from my study this past week.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV)

Hatred stirs up conflict,  but love covers over all wrongs. (Proverbs 10:12 NIV)

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3: 12-14 NIV)

 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8 NIV)

As we conclude our four-week study of Love, I pray that you have been encouraged and perhaps even convicted. We, as Christians, are God’s ambassadors to a hurt and dying world. If we walk in Love, others will be drawn to Jesus because there is no explanation for Biblical Love in the world. I can think of no better gift than introducing others to Jesus as LORD and Savior!

Serving alongside you,

Carla