AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS.
By Jos. Clarke
One would suppose that the human race would joyfully accept the conditions of salvation as offered in the gospel, all of them so reasonable and just. When God offers pardon to rebellious man, on condition that the offender forgive his enemies, or those who have injured him, the condition seems so fair, and the requirement so reasonable, and the self-denial so small, that it is surprising all do not accept the offer.44 Look at the position of the offender; belonging to a race in open rebellion against the Creator, a race of men actually in league with Satan against Jehovah, and by their daily practice, ratifying their first parent's act of allegiance to the enemy. Does the sinner realize that every act of disobedience, every neglect of duty, every slight of God's goodness, every murmuring word or thought, is, in fact, an additional evidence of his loyalty to Satan, and his disloyalty to God? And when he realizes how many affronts and slights he has thus offered to God; how in a lifetime his disloyal acts have accumulated against him, and yet God is so indulgent, so condescending as to say to the convicted sinner, forgive your enemies, and I will forgive you, one would hardly expect any hesitation on the part of the offender. Is there one of us who will harbor an unforgiving spirit a moment? Indeed, how pleasant it is to forgive those trifling offenses we have received, comparing them with ours against God.