Record Keeping

(Recommended reading:  1 Corinthians 13)

Is anyone else a record keeper?  I must confess that I’m probably a bit over-the-top when it comes to record keeping.  These days, there is so much that can be kept online that’s easy to access at any time.  But that’s not good enough for me.  I still tend to print out a hard copy of whatever I believe is important and put it into a file.  Then, most of it is shredded at the beginning of a new year.  Reality?  Keeping those hard copies is totally unnecessary and a waste.  I need to let go.

As Christians, it can be difficult for us to let go of some things.  After all, we’re only human so we have feelings and those feelings can be hurt.  Depending on who offended us and how serious it was and how deep the hurt went – we might be tempted to hold onto that hurt – filing it away in our mind.  But what purpose does it serve?  Holding onto offenses takes up space in our heart and mind – it’s rather like having that hard copy printed and filed away, it’s just something taking up space unnecessarily.

1 Corinthians 13 is referred to as the Love Chapter as it talks about the importance of love.  Verses 4-7 (GNT) express many attributes of love.  “Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail.”   

Right there in black and white we’re told that Christian love doesn’t keep a record of wrongs.  So, if/when we’re offended by someone’s words or actions what are we to do?  Plainly we shouldn’t harbor it in our mind and heart and allow it to fester into something disturbing.  That doesn’t do you any good and it doesn’t do any good for the person that wronged you.  It’s totally unnecessary.

“Why do we keep a record of wrongs?  To remind another of their faults.  Love tears up all records of wrong – whether it be your friend or enemy, your spouse or neighbor.  Total forgiveness means that all the fruit of the Spirit follow.”  *

Is tearing (shredding) up that “record of wrong” an easy thing to do?  Not necessarily.  But is it the right thing to do?  Absolutely!  That means forgiving others and that forgiveness frees you up to move forward and enjoy all the fruit of the Spirit – “But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control…”  (Galatians 5:22-23a GNT)  All of those qualities sound great to me – things I’d like to have in my life – making me a happier and better person.  

So I believe that I’m going to work much harder from here forward to not keep a record of perceived wrongs, but instead shred them up and move forward doing my best to exhibit love instead.

Written by Karran Martin – October 27, 2023

*Quote from 40 Days With The Holy Spirit by R.T. Kendall

[All bold emphasis is mine]