One Difference by Addie S. Bowen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 14, 1907

One Difference

By Addie S. Bowen

ADDIE S. BOWEN

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” Isa. 55:8.

One very marked difference between the thoughts and ways of the Lord and those of man, is in the disposition shown toward offenders.

God is reaching out after sinners, ever ready to receive any who will come to be folded in his forgiving embrace. Sorrow and repentance for sin, with pleas for forgiveness, are gladly accepted, and the sinner is abundantly pardoned. All the mistakes and sins are at once moved out of the way, put behind the Lord’s back. Isa. 38:17. Those forgiven sins are never held up as a separating barrier by the Lord, to dishearten or discourage his child, nor to hinder him in overcoming.

With man, how different! When a person is mistreated or thinks he is mistreated, if not a truly humble Christian, he holds the offender at a distance, and that offense comes up again and again as a barrier between the two. The offender may have acknowledged the fault and asked pardon. It may have been excused, yet it is brought out to be examined and talked over by the offended one and others, perhaps as long as he lives. It is not put behind the back, left once for all, never to make a separation again. This is the way of humanity.

But, thank God, the love with which he loves sinners we can have, hearts full of it, if we ask God for it, and do our part to get rid of our naturally wicked hearts. He promises to take away the hard-heartedness and give us of his disposition, and he does it when we choose to let him.

It is blessed to have the love of God for every one, and not a hard, unkind thought toward a soul on earth.

Buffalo, N. Y.