Why did Paul remind the Corinthians of God’s capacity to remain patient and kind, and to make sure that they weren’t counting one another as generally evil or bad, perhaps even not as converted as they were? The church in Corinth had become deeply divided over a number of issues and if you read through Paul’s letters you find he got straight to the point. In essence saying, “No more accusing everybody who doesn’t agree with you of being terrible and wrong or even unconverted. Stop sinning and let’s all work together in accordance with God’s will and our common calling, not our opinions however right we believe we are.”
They were fighting with one another, and just as it is today at times we get caught up in strong opinions and we argue (even if not articulated). We think poorly of others, and yes even judge others according to our opinion on whatever the matter is. We fall short as humans do. 1 John 4:16, we read, “God is love, and the one who abides (remains) in love, remains in God, and God abides in him.” It’s really up to us to either abide in God, or to rely on our own plans, logic and opinions. In 1 Corinthians 13 the apostle Paul made some profound statements on love. Including that whatever gift, talent or understanding we may have (or think we have), without love it is nothing! Moving from that concept Paul said: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NIV) I want to give a sermon on this section of scripture but for today I would like to focus on one thing. What is the significance of the statement: “love keeps no record of wrongs”!
I need to emphasize from the beginning before delving more into this statement that there is a distinction between remembering events from the past and holding things against people (keeping a record of wrongs) which is from an unforgiving spirit. When someone has been traumatized through abuse or violence, painful memories may last for years; however, to be able to forgive is part of the healing process. This does not contradict the need for people to accept responsibility and face the consequences of their actions. A word of wisdom: Nothing in this pastor’s message should be construed as recommending that a person stay in a situation of domestic abuse or violence. Such situations often escalate to greater danger for one or both partners. If you or someone you know is in such a situation, seek help and remove yourself from danger. As Proverbs 27:12 NLT tells us, “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.”
This concept we are looking at of keeping no record of wrongs directly connects with Paul’s words to the Corinthian believers earlier in the epistle. Instead of settling church matters among themselves in a spirit of humility and love, (truly desiring reconciliation) they were dragging each other to court. Paul takes a firm stand on the matter: “The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” (1 Corinthians 6:7). To combat the attitude of demanding one’s “pound of flesh,” or demanding one’s “rights” or “defending one’s opinion”, Paul wrote that love “keeps no record of wrongs.” In fact, as scripture clearly shows it is better to be cheated than to be unloving (having an unforgiving spirit and keeping a record of wrongs). Jesus kept no record of wrongs; rather, He prayed, “Father, forgive them,” from the cross as He died (Luke 23:34). Colossians 3:14-15 also ties the spirit of forgiveness to love: “Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Refusing to keep a record of wrongs is a clear expression of God’s love and forgiveness. It is impossible to love somebody and think well of them with a forgiving spirit and at the same time hold the bad things they may have done in the past against them like a register of unpaid debts. Whenever you think about that person and you remember this incident and that incident; Satan will certainly enjoy tormenting you by reminding you about those incidents in great detail. There is great spiritual danger in this.
Those who are trapped in an unforgiving spirit, holding onto a record of wrongs, develop bitter thoughts. They find themselves unhappy because their thoughts are not God’s thoughts, and He cannot bless them while they are trapped in that spirit. Whether they recognize it or not, in their heart they do not believe in God’s love and wisdom, like Joseph did in Genesis 50:19-21 when his brothers were afraid that he would take revenge on them for what they had done to him years before.
Joseph knew in his heart, that vengeance belonged only to God. God’s children, who we are, leave that entirely to their Father. Joseph said, “As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” Genesis 50:20. Those who keep their own hearts pure in the face of all the evil they may experience from other people, and forgive as Jesus forgave, see and experience the goodness of God, and are able to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). “And he (Joseph) comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” Genesis 50:21. Regardless of what someone (perhaps a brother or sister in Christ) has done to you, do you have this spirit that Joseph had? The love we see in Jesus Christ who died for us leads us to repentance over our hardness, selfishness, and pride. Not reckoning people’s trespasses or wrongs to them, but rather showing people how blessed it is to love one another as Christ loved us. (2 Corinthians 5:19-20; 1 John 4:7-8) Love keeps no record of wrongs is something we all need to learn and grow in. Briefly here are some practical thoughts to apply this scriptural injunction of “keeping no record of wrongs.”
1. Assume the best of each other
Paul recognized his own flaws and said in Romans 7:15: “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” Question: Don’t we all? We don’t mean to mess up...but we inevitably do, as we are all human.
Assume the best of all your brethren; assume they’re doing the best they are capable of, within their current spiritual condition. I believe that is true of all of us! We all can grow, and God is not finished His work in any of us. But He will! (Philippians 1:6) Assume the best!
2. Pray for our brethren, Regardless of circumstance
James 5:16 reminds us; “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much”.
Remember, often our best acts of love happen through intercessory prayer; praying for each other, even for our enemies. It keeps us focused on God’s will. (Matthew 5:44) It is hard to keep a record of wrongs when one is focusing their prayers on the best for that individual.
3. Focus on what we have in common, Not on any physical differences
I pray that we all suffer short memories concerning our mistakes, differences, and even hurts. Despite society’s best efforts at blaming and causing division among us, I hope we remember the truth that we have a common profound destiny. We are the body of Christ bound together by one spirit (1 Corinthians 12:12, 14-21, 27-31; Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 4:4). I would encourage all of you to listen to a recent sermon called, "The Message of the Cross” by Tim Pebworth given January 29th, 2022, linked here: https://www.ucg.org/sermons/the-message-of-the-cross-0 This is something we cannot forget as it is crucial to our salvation and something we need to bring to remembrance as we look forward to the Passover.
Shortly before He was gruesomely tortured, and summarily executed, Jesus gave every one of us a near-impossible command. In fact, the open fulfillment of this command was to be an identifying sign of His disciples. What was it? Why do I mention it here within the context of “keeping no record of wrongs”?
Jesus Christ clearly demonstrated that the standard for us as His Body was His own example and that it must be demonstrated among His followers. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35). If we keep a record of wrongs, we are in fact failing. Jesus instructs all His disciples that they must openly demonstrate godly unconditional spiritual love! This is personal to each of us! You and I cannot grow in the love He commands of us if we do not fulfil the admonition to keep no record of wrongs.
A short while later knowing Christ prayed for us; “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:21) As I conclude this pastor’s message let’s focus on what being one demands of each of us; may we all strive to remember and practice, Love keeps no record of wrongs. Our goal is to have a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation, letting the past stay in the past and press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14). “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)