How Shall We Forgive? by H. T.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 23, 1902

How Shall We Forgive?

By H. T.

H. T.

How is the Lord going to forgive us? — Just as we forgive those who injure us. “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Under what conditions will our Heavenly Father forgive us? — As we forgive. “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”

Seventy times seven — four hundred and ninety times — he should forgive his brother. Then Jesus related to Peter a parable: “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and besought him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.” The king’s compassionate heart forgave his debt.

How long did this servant remember this great kindness? — He did not remember it at all; for when he met one of his fellow servants who owed him a trifle, he took him by the throat, and cast him into prison; and when the king heard what this wicked servant had done, he delivered him to the tormentor. “So likewise shall my Heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”

There is a great difference between granting a pardon and forgiving. True forgiveness forgets the injury or debt. One should cease to feel resentment. As soon as one permits resentment to be aroused, his mind is filled with unpleasant memories, displeasure, choler, and sometimes rage.

Our Heavenly Father commands us to forgive one another. If we fail to obey, and our hearts are void of his tender love and sympathy, he permits us to return to our vile natures; for we could not live under his banner of mercy without perfect unity.