Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7

 

For many people, New Years Day is a time to come up with resolutions for the new year. Maybe it’s to lose weight, devote more time with family and friends, finish a project that has been undone for a long period of time or simply to focus on improving yourself. I have one I’d like to encourage you to consider: loving others.

 

You might feel pretty confident that loving others comes easy for you. But if you are true to yourself, there are probably people in your life who have offended you and deep down there is a hardness in your heart that can’t let go of their trespasses against you.

 

And above all things, have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sin.” 1 Peter 4:8

 

Friend, it’s time to let go of the painful trespasses and find healing through the process of loving your enemies. The very foundation of love is forgiveness and was perfectly lived out by your Savior, Jesus Christ. He paved the pathway to forgive what you believe are the unforgivable sins of others.

 

You might question how you can love someone who completely opposes you and brings tribulation to your life. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13. Only through the help of Jesus Christ can you sincerely forgive and love your enemies and those who oppose you. Grace and mercy are the cornerstone of love and it’s gifted to you when you ask the Lord to replace the trespasses with forgiveness and love them, just as Christ commanded you over 2,000 years ago.

 

Start the new year with one solid resolution: to love everyone. In these days and times, the world needs to see Jesus and that will only happen when you show them the love of Christ. Happy New Year and God bless!