Dr. Tan Tek Seng

DAILY REFLECTION
18 Aug 2026

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭

In 1993, when I was newly saved, I attended a Brethren church for about three years. Those were important formative years. I was faithfully taught and grounded in the Word of God, for which I remain deeply grateful. Yet as time passed, I began longing for a deeper experience of the Holy Spirit.

Then came a pivotal encounter.

My personal assistant introduced me to the late Dr Peter Tong, then President of FGB. He came to my office and prayed for me, and I experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It opened a new dimension in my walk with God.

My church elders, however, held different convictions concerning this experience. After discussions, they graciously released me to attend a Pentecostal church where I could continue growing in this area of faith.

Through a brother in Christ, I was subsequently introduced to a small charismatic church. There I met Pastor Loh, a humble college president who served voluntarily as a lay pastor. We became close friends, and under his leadership I watched the congregation grow from a small gathering to nearly one hundred people.

Yet growth did not prevent conflict.

Tensions gradually developed between Pastor Loh and the church elders, a married couple who were unhappy with aspects of his leadership.

Then came a Sunday I have never forgotten.

After the service, the elders asked the congregation to remain behind. One of them produced a book in which they had recorded what they considered to be Pastor Loh’s faults and shortcomings. These accumulated grievances were then presented to justify removing him from leadership.

That incident left a deep impression upon me.

Years later, whenever I read 1 Corinthians 13, I remember that book:

“Love… keeps no record of wrongs.”

There is an important pastoral distinction here. Paul is not teaching us to ignore wrongdoing, avoid accountability, or remain silent about serious problems. Healthy churches need correction, wise leadership and sometimes difficult decisions.

But there is a difference between addressing a problem for restoration and accumulating a record for condemnation.

When we continually store another person’s failures, unresolved offenses can slowly harden our hearts. Then, during conflict, yesterday’s mistakes become today’s ammunition.

The gospel calls us to another way.

We speak truth, but we speak it in love. We address problems, but we seek restoration rather than humiliation. We forgive because we ourselves have been forgiven.

Perhaps there is a “book” in your own heart—pages containing what someone said, what they did, and how deeply they hurt you.

Ask the Holy Spirit today to help you close that book.

Love does not deny the past, but neither does it allow the past to imprison the future.

When we release resentment, extend grace and choose forgiveness, we make room for healing, reconciliation and the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts.‬‬