CONDITION OF FORGIVENESS.
By A. Smith
Not only is the duty to forgive offenses committed against us inculcated in the petition, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” but the manner and degree of forgiveness meted out by us toward an offender is also made the condition and measure of Divine clemency toward us. The prerogative and duty of forgiveness is always circumscribed by the divinely appointed condition of repentance. Although there are passages of Scripture encouraging the hope or inculcating the duty of forgiveness, in connection with which the qualification of repentance is not expressed, there are yet other passages sufficiently clear to disrobe the question of any assumed license. Where an unmistakable offense has been committed against us by our fellow-man, and no evidence of repentance and reform is manifested on his part, no obligation to forgive exists, except so far as the offense may be one of ignorance. Were the facts otherwise, and there be any force in the petition, God would be under obligation to forgive us without repentance on our part, while we continue in sin just because we so forgave a brother. But when we pray to be forgiven we must exercise a feeling of tenderness toward an offender, and a willingness from the heart to forgive, should evidence of repentance ever be manifested on his part. We need not be pained with the thought that God will not forgive us because we find it impossible to forgive a slander persistently pressed and unrepented of, by an enemy; though it would be duty to return him good for evil, and pray for him according to the will of God. A. SMITH.