Can love be written into a law? Some would say that it isn’t love unless it comes from the heart. It’s not true love if you are obligated to do it. This morning my husband came to poor me coffee and said “unconditional love” and I thought to myself, “is there really any other kind of love that is true?”
“You must not hate your fellow citizen in your heart. If your neighbor does something wrong, tell him about it, or you will be partly to blame. Forget about the wrong things people do to you, and do not try to get even.
Love your neighbor as you love yourself. I am the Lord.”
Leviticus 19:17-18 New Century Version
I’m blown away by the direct simplicity of these statements, “tell him about it, forget about it”. But have you ever purposed to forget an offense, only to find yourself, a few minutes later, replaying every detail over and over in your mind? My flesh loves to circle the event like a movie camera catching every angle all in the name of understanding it better. In the end, I’ve only tied myself into such a complicated knot that I’m too stuck to just obey. My mom used to always tell me that when I gave my daughter a direct order I should be quiet and expect her to obey. I wonder if God expects me to obey this?
When I’ve been hurt by another person, I have two options: tell him or forget about it.
I do neither.
By what standard should I love another? By the standard I apply to myself; and let’s face it, my love for self is a deep well that never refuses me.
Amy, the simplicity of, "tell him or forget it." is a perfect reminder to me. Thanks for posting this. The Lord has used this to encourage and challenge me today. It will be something I pass along for my daughters to read as well. I think sometimes I go to extremes and don't ever say anything because we are just suppose to take it and forgive, but God gives us the option to speak it to that person and sometimes that may be best for the both of the people involved.
ReplyDeleteHere is a question that I wrestle with in the passage...it says that if I don't tell them, I'm partly to blame...does this mean I need to tell every offender every offense? Can we not let things just slide and forget about them? i would love some feedback on this thought.
ReplyDeleteThe foundation of these verses lies in the last phrase...but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord...which takes us to Mark 12:30, 31 where it says that we are to love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. If we do those two things then going to our neighbor to tell him of his sin will be guided by the Lord in when, how and the manner that we speak.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting that Mom...helps clarify!
ReplyDeleteThe verse seems to say both, tell them or forget. There are times when you should let it go and there are times when you should confront in love. In either case, you must forgive. The problem for me is that I most often do neither, or worse, I tell someone else.
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