https://odb.org/MY/2023/01/26/love-that-forgives
In a marriage relationship, there are bound to be quarrels, fights, and disagreements. But as marriage is a lifelong covenant, we need to reconcile. It’s best to be good before the sun rises again. In fact, Paul teaches do not let the sun set on your anger so as to not give any opportunity to the devil – see Ephesians 4:26-27.
Thus, one of the keys to a lifelong marriage that also works for all relationships is forgiveness. Forgiveness is the virtue that keeps relationships alive and well. People do make mistakes. Voices could be loud. Tone could be off. We tend to be forgetful and insensitive. As the LORD has forgiven us our sins, forgive those who have trespassed against us, who had wronged us. This is true for everyone but particularly with our spouses. Because we will be together for a lifetime – growing old together, seeing our children grow up and have children. How are we to last 50, 60 years or more, if we harbour ill feeling and resentment for long? Unforgiveness will be the seed that will poison the soil and kill the crops if we imagine that our marriage is a plot of land. With love and compassion and kindness (Colossians 3:12), the soil will be properly fertilised and will produce two-fold and even five-fold crops. We will have beautiful and healthy produce to enjoy from the fruits of our labour.
For relationships to thrive and work well, it has to be a labour of love. We have to put in the effort, and the most important ingredient is forgiveness. If we are stingy with forgiveness, the results will be upheaval, tears, and broken relationships. Sometimes, it is difficult to forgive but forgive we must. Time will heal our hurts, but forgiveness will hasten the process.
If we are married or planning to marry, remember that as believers, marriage is a lifelong commitment and covenant. The key to its long life and to us keeping our marriage vow of “till death do us part or till the Lord returns” is to forgive. Forgive and fill our relationships with love, compassion, and kindness, and we will not fail!
Ronnie's Thoughts 