No Record of Rights

1 Corinthians 13 is a great description of God's love.  It is active, pursues, is patient, kind, gracious, generous, and seeks to sacrifice self for the benefit of others.  1 Corinthians 13:5 says of God's love: "It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." (NIV)  The last phrase of this verse is most instructive to me.  In the NKJV it is translated "thinks no evil."  Love is not wary or suspicious, but thinks good of others - even when they have done something wrong towards us in the past.  When we keep track of other's mistakes or faults, we are not walking in love.

Closely related to keeping no record of wrongs in others is when we keep track of our rights.  It does not demonstrate love when we bring up how much good we have done for others when they have wronged us.  If I point out my "good" deeds to make someone else feel guilty, or to glorify myself in light of their conduct, this is nothing more than manipulation, pride, and self-righteousness.  It is an appeal to the flesh to have our way, and this should not mark the life or thought patterns of a follower of Jesus Christ.  We can feel taken advantage of if we file away all the good we have done for others and do not see the appreciation our efforts merit.  Those who keep record of others wrongs or their own rights will persist in folly.  Our pursuit of recognition or just rewards show we know little of grace and God's love.

When we are tempted to say, "Look what I have done!" know this is often a clear temptation to sin.  What you have done?  Can a man do anything apart from God's grace?  What do we have that we have not freely received?  Jesus was not taken advantage of by the lost He came to seek and serve because He gave Himself freely without reservation.  Let us love freely as Jesus has demonstrated by laying down His life for sinners.  His sacrifice on the cross did not become His trump card to force His way:  "Look what I did for you!  The least you could do is obey me in this small matter!"  That's not the voice or tone of Jesus, but sounds very much like the tone of the accuser of the brethren.  Love keeps no record of wrongs, nor sounds a trumpet to bring attention to our good deeds.  We are called to do all things as unto the LORD, and it is He who will settle accounts with us!  What do you want on that day:  your just due or God's grace?