Most people love themselves. Most people love themselves no matter what. Most of the time they feed themselves and clothe themselves no matter what is happening. They faithfully take care of themselves.

The Bible tells us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves because we take care of ourselves really well. It’s a habit to love ourselves. We need to make it a habit to love others like that. But that is not enough. Jesus’ love requires forgiveness.

The action of love is forgiveness. Christianity is love and forgiveness.

Love is forgiveness. Forgiveness is the greatest, most powerful love. Why? How did Jesus show His great love? Through the cross. What did He do? When He was on the cross, He forgave the people who were crucifying Him.

Jesus came to fulfill the Law. How? Through love. Through forgiveness. His forgiving love fulfilled God’s Law.

Scripture shows us that Jesus’ love is forgiving love. All the way to the end of His life, He forgave. That is God’s love.

On the cross, Jesus had a lot of pain and suffering and struggle. Through all of that, His last words were not, “God kill them.” They were, “God, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.” He didn’t blame or strike out or yell or get angry. He just forgave. That is love.

Forgiveness is love. We are here today because of that love.

God bless you,
Pastor Sun Hui East

Read other posts in the “Forgiveness” Series:
Forgiveness is Stable
Forgiveness is the Action of Love
Forgiveness isn’t Measured
Giving and Receiving Forgiveness