There was a time when one of my closest friends, my best friend from high school, went through one of the darkest seasons of her life.
After marrying and moving away, she was betrayed by the person she trusted most. Her husband had been unfaithful, and to make things worse, he accused her of the same sin he was committing. Later, she discovered that he had been living with another woman and that they even had twins together.
I witnessed her pain firsthand. She had been a faithful servant in the church, leading the dance ministry with such joy and passion. But after their separation, she stopped attending church for months. Our churchmates would often encourage her to forgive for her own peace, not for her husband’s sake.
And though she would say she had forgiven him, bitterness remained. For over a year, she wrestled with that deep, invisible wound.
Her story reminds me that love and forgiveness, two of Jesus’ most profound teachings, are not easy. Yet they are at the very heart of what it means to follow Him.
Love: The Core of Jesus’ Teachings
1️⃣ Love God and Love Others (The Greatest Commandment)
📖 “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” — Matthew 22:37–39 (NIV)
When the Pharisees tried to test Jesus by asking which commandment was the greatest, He summarized the entire Law in two commands: love God fully and love others genuinely.
In essence, our love for others must flow out of our love for God. When we love Him wholeheartedly, it transforms how we relate to people: our family, friends, and even those who hurt us. True love doesn’t depend on how others act toward us; it reflects who God is in us.
For a deeper understanding of what it truly means to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, you can read my post on The First and Greatest Commandment of God. It explores how this foundational truth shapes every area of our Christian walk.
💡 Practical Application: Ask yourself each day, “Am I showing God’s love in my words, actions, and responses?” Choose to love even when it’s uncomfortable.
2️⃣ Love Beyond Limits (Love Your Enemies)
📖 “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” — Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shattered cultural norms that allowed hatred toward enemies. Instead, He called His followers to a radical kind of love; one that mirrors the mercy of the Father.
Loving those who love us is easy. But loving those who’ve wronged or betrayed us? That’s where faith grows deepest.
My friend eventually learned that forgiveness began with choosing to pray for her husband, even when her heart wasn’t ready to feel love again. Over time, those prayers softened her bitterness and brought healing she didn’t expect.
💡 Practical Application: Pray for those who hurt you, not because they deserve it, but because it sets your heart free.
3️⃣ Love That Reflects Christ (The New Commandment)
📖 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” — John 13:34–35 (NIV)
Jesus gave this commandment to His disciples during the Last Supper. He wasn’t just telling them to be kind; He was calling them to love sacrificially, the same way He would love them through the cross.
This is the kind of love that identifies us as His followers. It’s a love that serves, forgives, and gives without expecting anything in return.
💡 Practical Application: Reflect Christ’s love in your home, church, and workplace. Let others see Jesus through your compassion and humility.
Forgiveness: The Expression of Divine Love
1️⃣ Forgive as God Forgave You
📖 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” — Matthew 6:14 (NIV)
Jesus emphasized forgiveness right after teaching the Lord’s Prayer. Forgiving others isn’t a suggestion; it’s a command rooted in God’s mercy toward us.
Unforgiveness creates chains that keep us tied to the past. But when we forgive, we’re choosing freedom. Not just for the person who wronged us, but for ourselves.
💡 Practical Application: If someone comes to mind right now whom you haven’t truly forgiven, pause and pray. Ask God to help you release the pain and extend grace.
2️⃣ The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
📖 Matthew 18:21–35
When Peter asked Jesus, “How many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus replied, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.”
In this parable, a servant who had been forgiven of a massive debt refused to forgive another who owed him far less. Jesus’ message is clear: because we’ve received such abundant mercy from God, we are called to extend that same mercy to others.
If you’d like to explore the lessons of this story, how pride, compassion, and gratitude play a role in forgiveness, you can read my post on Lessons from the Unforgiving Servant. It unpacks this parable in greater detail and offers practical takeaways for living out genuine forgiveness.
💡 Practical Application: Remember how much you’ve been forgiven. Let gratitude replace resentment.
3️⃣ Jesus’ Example on the Cross
📖 “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” — Luke 23:34 (NIV)
As He hung on the cross, Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of love and forgiveness. Even in agony, He prayed for His persecutors. This moment reveals God’s boundless compassion and serves as our example.
💡 Practical Application: When it feels impossible to forgive, look to the cross. Jesus’ grace is enough to heal even the deepest wounds.
The Connection Between Love and Forgiveness
📖 “Love keeps no record of wrongs.” — 1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)
Love and forgiveness are inseparable. You cannot truly love without forgiving, and you cannot genuinely forgive without love. Both reflect the heart of God.
My friend eventually returned to church, not because her situation changed, but because her heart did. She found peace when she chose to release her bitterness. Her love for God rekindled her desire to serve again, and that’s the power of Christ’s love and forgiveness at work.
💡 Practical Application: Forgiveness is the soil where love grows. Keep short accounts, release grudges, and let God restore what’s broken.
Practical Ways to Live Out Jesus’ Teachings
✅ Pray for those who wronged you (Matthew 5:44).
✅ Speak kindness and grace (Ephesians 4:29–32).
✅ Seek reconciliation where possible (Romans 12:18).
✅ Serve others humbly (Galatians 5:13).
✅ Remember God’s mercy toward you (Colossians 3:13).
Key Takeaway
Jesus’ teachings on love and forgiveness call us to reflect God’s heart: loving unconditionally and forgiving freely. When we choose love over bitterness and grace over revenge, we walk in true freedom and show the world what it means to follow Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1️⃣ What did Jesus teach about love?
Jesus taught that love is the greatest commandment. We are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37–39).
This kind of love is not based on feelings but on obedience and action. It reflects God’s heart through compassion, kindness, and humility.
2️⃣ What did Jesus teach about forgiveness?
Jesus taught that forgiveness is essential for those who follow Him. He said, “If you forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14).
Through His own example on the cross, Jesus showed that forgiveness is an act of grace that frees both the giver and the receiver.
3️⃣ How many times should I forgive someone according to Jesus?
When Peter asked Jesus this question, He answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). Jesus wasn’t setting a literal number but teaching that forgiveness should be limitless, just as God’s mercy toward us is without limit.
4️⃣ Is forgiving someone the same as trusting them again?
Not necessarily. Forgiveness is about releasing bitterness and choosing peace, while trust must be rebuilt over time through consistent repentance and changed behavior.
Jesus calls us to forgive unconditionally, but He also instructs us to be wise and discerning (Matthew 10:16).
5️⃣ How can I love and forgive when it still hurts?
Loving and forgiving through pain is only possible by relying on God’s strength. Pray for His grace to fill your heart, and remember Jesus’ words on the cross: “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34).
Healing takes time, but as you surrender your pain to God, His love will begin to restore your peace.
Conclusion: Living Out Christ’s Example
Love and forgiveness aren’t emotions; they’re decisions rooted in obedience to Jesus. Whether it’s a broken marriage, a betrayal, or a painful misunderstanding, we can forgive because Christ first forgave us.
If you’re struggling to forgive, take it to the cross. Ask Jesus to soften your heart and give you His love for those who’ve hurt you. Remember, forgiveness isn’t forgetting; it’s choosing freedom through grace.
📖 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
❤️ Call to Action:
Spend time in prayer this week, asking God to reveal any lingering bitterness or resentment in your heart. Let His love heal those hidden wounds, and as you do, you’ll find peace that only Christ can give.