The List

and [Love] does not keep a record of wrongs. (1 Cor. 13:5c HCSB)

This verse is often used to tell people that they shouldn’t hold a grudge.  The NASB states it like this:

does not keep an account of a wrong suffered

I think this is a correct translation, and definitely a good rule to live by.

However, there is another way to look at this.

The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
(1 John 4:8 HCSB)

God is love!  The way to define love, is God (Jesus).  Since Jesus is love, we can, and should look at 1 Cor. 13:4-8a in a new light.  This verse tells all about love:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. (NIV)

But 1 John 4:8 tells us that God (Jesus) is love.  This passage could be read like this:

Jesus is patient, Jesus is kind. Jesus does not envy, Jesus does not boast, Jesus is not proud. Jesus does not dishonor others, Jesus is not self-seeking, Jesus is not easily angered, Jesus keeps no record of wrongs. Jesus does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Jesus always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Jesus never fails.

Understanding that Jesus is the definition of love causes you to view love differently.  The way you show love to each other demonstrates your love for Christ, and His love in you.

When we say “Love keeps no record of wrongs”, what we are really saying is the Jesus keeps no record of wrongs.

Matthew West takes this approach in his song The List.

It is easy to say that love keeps no record of wrongs, so we shouldn’t hold a grudge.  It’s another thing entirely to forgive others for the wrongs they have done, and no longer hold it against them.  But perhaps the most difficult thing is to forgive yourself for all the mistakes you’ve made throughout your life.  But, if God has forgiven you, and does not keep a record of those mistakes, then you need to be able to forgive yourself.

In this song by Matthew West, he talks about writing down all your mistakes and failures on a list.  This is his way of saying that there is always a reminder of these things.  But, he goes on to say:

Love tears the list in million little pieces
Cast your sins as far as the East is from the West
Say goodbye to the list

And, as we know, God (Jesus) is love.  Allow him to shred your list today, and be free of your past mistakes and failures.  If you are to live a Christ-like life, and He keeps no record of wrong, then you should keep no record of wrong.(against others or yourself!)

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The List

Write ’em down one by one
Every single mistake that you’ve ever made
Every single wrong turn you wish you didn’t take

Keeping count, you can’t let go
In for life behind bars, but you’re holding the key
‘Cause the list tells your heart that you’ll never be free

But love keeps no record of wrong, no, no
Love keeps no record of wrong, no, no
Love keeps no record of wrong, no, no
Listen to me, love keeps no record of wrong, no

So let it go
Let it go

Love tears the list in million little pieces
Cast your sins as far as the East is from the West
Say goodbye to the list

Love tells your heart it’s time to start beating
History will not be repeating anymore
Yesterday is closing door

Love keeps no record of wrong, no, no

Let it watch over you
That it doesn’t matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been
You don’t have to keep going back there again

And write it down one last time
Go on and raise your hands, let the list fall down
You know that you are a new creation now

Love tears the list in million little pieces
Cast your sins as far as the East is from the West
Say goodbye to the list

Love tells your heart it’s time to start beating
History will not be repeating anymore
Yesterday is closing door

Cause love keeps no record of wrong, no, no
Oh, love keeps no record of wrong, no

Come unto me
All who are weary
And I will give you rest
Your debt was paid
Your cross was carried
Love’s hand has wiped away the list

(Say goodbye to the list)
(Say goodbye to the list)

Let it go (Gotta let it go)
Let it go (Love tears the list in million little pieces) (Gotta let it go)
Let it go (Love tears the list in million little pieces) (Gotta let it go)
Let it go (Love tears the list in million little pieces) (Gotta let it go)

Love keeps no record of wrong, no