10 ways to love: Forgive without punishing

Kylie Voight

Forgive without punishing

Our second to last way of showing love through your actions is forgiving without punishing. So often we are wronged and it is our natural inclination to get the wrongdoer back. We want them to be punished for their actions against us. Jesus calls us higher.

In Matthew 5, Jesus tells His disciples this: ”"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 the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles."“

Punishing someone back often does more harm than good. Jesus knows this and that's why He was telling His disciples to live differently than the world has told them to live. If we punish others, the hurt towards one another builds instead of dissolves. Punishing can only speak so loud. Forgiveness, on the other hand, speaks volumes louder. You live differently than the rest of the world and all the sudden your life becomes a lot more interesting to the receiver of your forgiveness. They want to know more about you and why you chose to respond the way you did. You then get a chance to share Jesus with this person and potentially change their eternal destination. How cool is it that when we choose love over self, we open up opportunities to share our faith! That's the ultimate goal and ultimate purpose for our lives here on this earth.

Seize every opportunity to love others. Make it your mission to live differently and love radically. May the Holy Spirit fill you as you walk in love this week!