Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt
Scripture References: Matthew 18, II Corinthians 5:17-18
Then Peter came to him and asked,“Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”No, not seven times,“Jesus replied,“but seventy times seven!” (Matt. 18:21-22 NLT)
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (II Corinthians 5:17-18 NLT)
We are all called to the ministry of Jesus Christ and the ministry of reconciliation. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, we are called to reconcile and receive healing, wholeness and love. That it is never wrong to love, never out of order to love, no compromise is needed, and standards are never lowered. This is never more evident than in the relationships we forge in our daily lives. The price of relationship is conflict and some conflicts can bring great pain and difficulties. Too many times when something happens to us we find it easier for unforgiveness to rule us than to shake it off, let it go, and forgive all in a situation. This is a natural react. However, as followers of Christ, though we are in this world, we are not of this world (John 17:14). Thus we are given the opportunity to live as a new person living to love like we have never been hurt. It is so important to forgive others and love like you have never been hurt. Ephesians 4:32 (NLT) reminds us that, “you must be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ, has forgiven you”. However too many family members and once-dear friends that we no longer have anything to do with was a result of unforgiveness in our hearts. So it is time for us to love like we have never been hurt.
How do I “Love Like I have never been hurt”?
1. God’s has set a high standard for his followers in the form of forgiveness toward others no matter what situation arises. Seek to forgive in all situations.
2. Trust God even when He isn’t doing what YOU think He should be doing. Loving God and Trusting God is what is to be done. Love IS the answer.
3. There is power in the blood of Jesus, which cleanses us from All unrighteousness, leading us to a life of forgiveness and love.
4. Relationships are very important, and there is no relationship without forgiveness.
5. We have to reach out beyond justice to mercy and forgiveness and totally embrace our ministry of reconciliation.
Connection Questions:
1. Has there been a situation in your life that you thought there is absolutely no way you are going to forgive that person for what they did?
2. Do you believe God can heal your every broken relationship because of His love for you?
3. Are you willing to allow the Lord to use your story and your testimony, to help others?
Final Thoughts:
Love never fails. It may take a lifetime, but love will never fail. It seems in the natural that we decide when we are finished with someone because of what they did, but God never gave up on you, nor has he ever forsaken you (Deut. 31:6; Heb. 13:5). People have failings, and people sin, but we are to still love them and must forgive them from the depths of our heart. We have been given an amazing gift, this gift of reconciliation.Use it always.
While we have the gifts of the spirit (I Corinthians 12: 7-11), the fruits of the spirit are just as important (Galatians 5:22-23) for God to impart His divine nature into the core of our personalities and make us into the person God wants us to be. Your response to any and all endeavors will be measured against the fruit of the spirit, not by your gifts of the spirit. As the greatest of these fruits is love, this love will be measured by our actions. What they will need more than ever is for you to love them like you have never been hurt.
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