1 Corinthians 13:8a Love never fails; NASB

Yesterday I left of with the impression that liberty is given to love freely. Here in today’s verse I would like to explore the undying attributes of love as Paul expressed to us how love acts.

I have had some believers express to me that the attribute of forgiveness was not listed in the acts of love in 1 Corinthians 13. While the word forgiveness was not specifically listed, let me ask you how could forgiveness no be a part of some of those attributes listed?

Can verse 4 attributes; is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, exist if you cannot forgive? What of verse 7 attributes, bears all things and endures all things. Can they exist without forgiveness?

Matthew 18:21-22  Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Isn’t the fact that Jesus asks us to forgive enough justification to forgive? One of the largest abuses I see of scriptures is the cherry picking of scriptures to rationalize our sinful behavior. We do not want to let go of the bonds we are comfortable with, yet chains they are and our liberty to love is hindered.

Another attitude hindering the liberty to love is the attitude; “I have the authority.”