The Opposite of Love

Last updated on: October 30, 2019 at 7:00 am by Mark Driscoll

The Opposite of Love 2019-08-29T16:30:44-04:00 Mark Driscoll

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Luke 11:4 – …and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.

Romans 12:17-21 – Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Unforgiveness is the opposite of love. When we keep a record of wrongs, we are acting as an accountant and keeping score of the spiritual debt others have accrued to us. This is why unforgiving people say things such as, “They owe me,” “I will make them pay,” and “I will get even.”

Jesus teaches us that when we forgive someone, we are canceling whatever debt they owe us. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray, “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Perhaps teaching it on a different occasion, Jesus makes a slight modification: “forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” Did you catch the difference? Jesus uses the words “debts” and “sins” synonymously.

If you make someone pay, that is vengeance. Vengeance is something that we need to trust God for and not take into our own hands. God said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.”

If you absorb the loss and pay for them, that is forgiveness. In forgiving someone, you choose not to sit as a judge and render a sentence on someone else. Instead you are sending that case to God’s higher court, which will result in them either being sentenced to the eternal debtors’ prison of hell or having their debt paid by Jesus on the cross.

To order the new book from Pastor Mark & Grace Driscoll “Win Your War”, visit: https://amzn.to/2YuhoDn.

For the entire eight-week “Win Your War” sermon series from Pastor Mark, visit www.markdriscoll.org or the Mark Driscoll Ministries app.

Daily Devotions

Previous Post

October 29, 2019

Crushing Coveting With Contentment

Next Post

October 31, 2019 Jesus Paid Our Debt

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Ask Pastor Mark Blog Daily Devotions Sermons Uncategorized

Select a Month July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 October 2018 September 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 December 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the name of the river where Ezekiel saw his vision?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Euphrates River River Chebar Jordan River Nile River