The Power of Love: How God's Love Transforms Our Ability to Forgive

In a world filled with tragedy and hatred, we find ourselves wrestling with difficult questions. The recent catastrophic school shooting in Colorado, the brutal stabbing of an innocent woman while people watched, and the assassination of a young man for simply debating his beliefs—these events leave us struggling to understand the depths of human hatred.

But rather than putting a band-aid on these wounds through political discourse, we need to address the deeper issue at hand. The answer lies in understanding the transformative power of love.

The Remarkable Story of Corrie Ten Boom

Corrie Ten Boom was a Dutch watchmaker who, along with her family, helped save many Jewish people during the Holocaust by hiding them in their home. Eventually, they were caught and sent to Ravensbrook concentration camp.

Years after the war, Corrie was preaching about Jesus and forgiveness when a former SS guard who had tortured her family approached her. He had become a Christian and asked for her forgiveness.

In that moment, Corrie felt all her anger, resentment, and bitterness flood back. She couldn't find any warmth or charity in her heart for this man. But she prayed for help and felt God prompting her to take the first step of obedience by forgiving.

Though she didn't yet feel forgiveness in her heart, she mechanically thrust her hand into the outstretched hand of the guard. In that moment, a healing warmth flooded her being. She experienced an intense love and compassion for the man, seeing him as Christ did.

This encounter demonstrated that by obeying God's command to forgive, she experienced His supernatural love, which brought healing and freedom.

What Does It Mean to Abide in God?

First John 4:13 tells us, "By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us his spirit." The death and resurrection of Jesus tore the veil between God and mankind, allowing us to have an abiding relationship with Him.

If you have accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, God's Spirit resides in you. You can experience living in God as God also lives in you.

How Is Love the Foundation of Our Relationship with God?

Love is the foundation of this relationship—God's love for you, your love for God, and your love for others, including your enemies and those you disagree with.

While no one has seen God, those who are in an abiding relationship with Him become living, breathing vessels that reflect His presence. Your life should be a direct reflection of Jesus, and what is being reflected? Love.

Who Is Jesus in the Context of First John?

First John establishes that Jesus is who He says He is—the Savior of the entire cosmos. The term "Savior of the world" was used to highlight His dominion and exaltation above all earthly and non-earthly powers.

When early Christians called Jesus the "Savior of the world," they were pushing against the grain, putting Jesus high above whoever was in charge at that time. They were exalting Him as the highest power.

How Does God's Love Mature in Us?

It's one thing to believe you are loved by God; it's another to actually live that out. But it's more possible than you realize because you have the transformative, abiding Spirit inside you.

An abiding, growing relationship with Jesus is a process where love is being brought to maturity. It's important to understand that as we grow in love for God and others, it's a process of sanctification—you are saved and you are being saved.

This process creates confidence and security that He is in us and we are being made like Him. When you are faced with your past or current struggles, you understand that while you are not there yet, God looks at you, not your sin, and sees the righteousness of Christ.

Why Does Perfect Love Cast Out Fear?

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment. And whoever fears has not been perfected in love" (1 John 4:18).

There's a contrast between confidence and shame, between love and fear. To live in fear is to live without confidence. If you are living in a maturing love that produces confidence as a son or daughter of the Most High, you don't need to fear judgment.

While there is a healthy fear of God that should be stewarded, John is helping believers understand that if they are in a love relationship with Jesus, they don't need to fear.

How Can We Love Others When It Seems Impossible?

"We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19). God is the source of all love, and our ability to love comes from Him. As we grow in our love for God and our understanding of His love, we are able to love others—even our enemies, adversaries, attackers, rivals, abusers, childhood bullies, political opponents, and greatest betrayers.

Jesus allows for boundaries, but He doesn't allow space for unforgiveness or hatred. In fact, Jesus said that if you hate your brother in your heart, it is as if you have already murdered him.

What Happens When We Claim to Love God But Hate Others?

"If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen" (1 John 4:20).

If someone is truly in a love relationship with God, they will love others because people carry His image and value. If you love God, you will truly love others, even your enemies.

Life Application

In light of the tragedies we've witnessed and the hatred that seems to permeate our world, we are called to be different. We are called to fight hate with healing and bitterness with forgiveness.

Ask yourself these challenging questions:

• Am I truly walking in love, even toward those who have hurt me?

• Where am I allowing unforgiveness or hatred to take root in my heart?

• How can I take a step of obedience, like Corrie Ten Boom, even when I don't feel like forgiving?

• In what ways can I reflect God's love to a hurting world this week?

Remember, you have the Spirit of Jesus inside you. You don't have to rely on your own capacity to love—you can draw on His supernatural love that transforms hearts and heals wounds. This week, choose to take one step toward forgiving someone who has hurt you, knowing that as you obey, God's love will flow through you in ways you never thought possible.