“It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
—1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)
Have you ever replayed a past hurt over and over in your mind? Maybe you’ve kept a mental list of offences from someone close to you, storing them up like ammunition for a future argument. It’s a natural response to pain, but 1 Corinthians 13:5 calls us to a higher standard: love keeps no record of wrongs. Genuine love chooses to release bitterness and resentment, offering forgiveness even when it’s undeserved.
Keeping a record of wrongs only weighs us down. It’s like carrying a heavy backpack filled with every offence we’ve ever experienced. Over time, it saps our joy and hardens our hearts. Love, on the other hand, sets us free. When we choose to forgive, we’re not condoning the wrong or pretending it didn’t hurt. Instead, we’re releasing our right to hold it against someone, trusting God to bring justice and healing in His time.
God is the ultimate example of this kind of love. Through Christ, He wiped the slate clean for us. He doesn’t keep a list of our failures or remind us of our past mistakes. Instead, He offers grace and a fresh start every day. If God can forgive us so completely, how can we not extend that same grace to others? Who in your life needs to be released from the record of wrongs you’ve been keeping?
Forgiveness is a process, and it often requires prayer and intentional effort. But as we let go of resentment and choose to love, we find freedom and peace. Relationships can begin to heal, and our hearts become more like Christ’s. Let’s commit to keeping no record of wrongs, trusting that God’s love in us is powerful enough to overcome bitterness and restore what’s been broken.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for your love that keeps no record of my wrongs. Help me to reflect your forgiving nature by releasing bitterness and resentment. Teach me to love others with grace and to trust you for healing and justice. Fill my heart with your peace as I choose forgiveness over anger. Amen.
