“It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13:5).
LOVE
Paul gives us his run-down of the attributes of love; and one of them is that love keeps no record of wrongs. The NASB says, “it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered”.
In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone, suggesting a generous "seven times". Jesus replies, "Not seven times, but seventy times seven," which can be interpreted as 490 times, but we see the heart of Christ in his answer, and with a wry smile on his face as he spoke with Peter. We understand that Jesus meant we should forgive without limit. If someone asks us for forgiveness, then we should give it.
For we all need forgiveness, each and every one of us.
We all have to get to that state where we cry to God for mercy for our own sinful, wretched souls.
“Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy” (Ps 130:1).
We sinners are all in the same boat, we all need forgiveness, so we should not withhold forgiveness from others when they seek it from us. We want the Lord to hear our cry for mercy, we should therefore be ready to offer mercy in return to those who ask it from us.
Our own righteousness falls far short of God’s glory.
“If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness” (Ps 130:3). The Lord is leading by example here, and we need to follow.
God is love, and love keeps no record of wrongs. I wonder how many times we go to the Lord and ask for forgiveness, for that number will surely stack up, but the Lord is not keeping account of our failures when we bring them to him with a sincere heart of repentance and a desire to move forward in his holiness.
Let’s be frank—"he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities” (Ps 103:10). So why should we be so upset when we are slighted in some way, when someone has spoken ill of us, why bear a grudge? When we have been cheated, we do not hate the perpetrator.
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27–28).
The Lord leads the way—let’s follow him.