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"[Love]
doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily
provoked, thinketh no evil" (1 Cor. 13:5).
Love always forgives. Forgiveness is one of the offsprings of love. The
Amplified Bible says it this way:
"[Love] is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude
(unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does
not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it
is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done
to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]."
Galatians 5:6 talks about "faith which worketh by love." Love forgives, so
we could say faith works by forgiveness. Isn't that what Jesus was trying
to tell us in Mark 11:25? "And when ye stand praying, forgive…." Faith
works by love, and love always forgives; therefore, faith works by
forgiveness.
First Corinthians 13:5 goes on to say that love "seeketh not her own." The
Revised Standard Version says, "Love does not insist on its own way."
Goodspeed says, "It does not insist on its own rights." How often have we
said, "I've got my rights!" No, love doesn't insist on its own rights.
Love "is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil." The New English Bible says
that love is "not quick to take offence." Love keeps no score of wrongs. It
never remembers the wrongs done by others. Now, flesh will say, "I remember
what that old bat did to me." But love doesn't take any account of the evil
done to it, because love always forgives.
Confession:
I walk in love because my Father is love. I am not conceited or arrogant,
prideful or rude. I don't insist on my own rights or keep a score of
wrongs. I am not quick to take offense, but I am quick
to forgive. My faith works because I walk in love.
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