“Love Your Neighbor and Forgive”

Words: Anna Strickland | Tune: Redhead NO. 76 (7.7.7.7.7.7) | Inspired by Matthew 18:15-22

“Love your neighbor and forgive”
Words so simple yet so hard
We have wounds because we’ve lived
Calluses enfold our hearts
Jesus reaches out to touch
Wounds and hearts that hold too much

Sounds of bombs and bullets ring
War is all we’ve ever known
Pacifists are framed as weak
We rely on might alone
Jesus paves the paths of peace
Even as the threats increase

Love is risky, peace is faint
And forgiveness feels naive
All are sinners, all are saints
And we all God’s grace receive
So we follow mercy’s way
Softening our hearts to grace