My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:12-13
When I hold onto the hurt caused me by my brother, when I take offense and count his sin as against me, when I care more about my feelings than my brother's heart, I inevitably find I have taken my eyes off of Jesus and placed them on self. The love of God calls me to lay my life down. Not as a martyr for my brother, but in response to the sacrifice of Christ for me.
Does this mean I ignore my own heart? Not at all. In fact it is vital to search our hearts. We cannot forgive another without first acknowledging we have been hurt. But we take that pain to the cross understanding that another's sin is between them and the Father just as my heart's response to it is between me and the Father. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. 1Cor.4:5
What is the motive of my heart? I am so quick to judge another and to think his actions so woefully against myself. How often do I miss the fact that my reaction to someone may be because of sin or wrong thinking in my own heart? Or if there is wrong doing, do I care about the sin in my brother's heart simply because it has wounded me or, because it stands between him and the Father. I find that when I don't believe or understand the nature of God's love for me or my brother I am much quicker to take offense. When my eyes are on the cross and on His gift of love for me I do not count the cost of forgiveness and restoration. It is simply a response to my Saviour's love.
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
