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Love Does Not Take Into Account A Wrong Suffered

by Chris Simmons

I Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Another critical facet of love in this context is that it “does not take into account a wrong suffered.” The word for “account” is from the Greek word logizomai which means “to take an inventory” (Strong’s Greek-Hebrew Dictionary). It refers to the idea of keeping a list or inventory of every slight, offense, or wrong that anyone has ever committed against us and being ready – if not anxious – for future use. Paul here is specifically stating that biblical love keeps no such inventory. In Mike Willis’ commentary on 1 Corinthians, he notes regarding this word that “it was used as a technical term in commercial dealing for entering a debt on a ledger.” The NIV in this verse says that love “keeps no record of wrongs.” Love doesn’t keep a little black book full of details of every time that people don’t treat us the way we think they should. Love will not allow our mind to think that way.

We sometimes hear the expression that someone is out to “settle a score” which definitely indicates they have been taking into account (real or perceived) wrongs suffered. Christians who “walk in love” (Ephesians 5:2) cannot, and will not, keep an inventory of wrongs suffered and look to settle the score whenever necessary. Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 5:38-41, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two.” An “eye for an eye” mentality only happens when we begin by taking into account a wrong suffered. Rather, we must conscientiously rid our hearts of a record of the wrongs others commit against us and of any of the corresponding bitterness and resentment that would naturally accompany such an account. Paul spoke to the heart that seeks to settle the score when he said in I Corinthians 6:7, “Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?”

Paul wrote in Romans 12:17-19, “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” When Paul said “so far as it depends on you,” he’s referring to loves’ demand to not take account of wrongs suffered.

Our response to wrongs suffered totally depends on us and our commitment to love as God has loved us. God extended His love to us (John 3:16) in spite of the sin that mankind had persisted in. Paul wrote in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” After discussing in Ephesians 2:1-3 how that those in Ephesus were “dead in your trespasses and sins” because they had “walked according to the course of this world” and “lived in the lusts of our flesh,” Paul went on to remind them in verses 4-5 of how “God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” Jesus took no account of the wrongs He suffered when He laid down His life for us and said to those who had mocked Him, scourged Him, beat Him, and crucified Him, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). The Lord practiced what He preached in Mark 11:25-26, “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.” Prayer is essential in our efforts to demonstrate biblical love by not taking into account a wrong suffered.

Love doesn’t keep score and seek to even the score when it’s not in our favor. Whether at home or in the church, if we’re keeping that list of wrongs, injustices, and mistreatments, we must repent and pray that the thoughts of our heart may be forgiven us (Acts 8:22).

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