p. 62 | Forgive One Another by M. S. Avery

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Oct 3, 1854

Forgive One Another.

By M. S. Avery

Herein is manifested the great compassion of the Saviour. Many are the examples left on record of his great forbearance, and his kind and forgiving spirit. He was even moved with compassion towards his worst enemies, and with his expiring breath, cries, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." As we follow him along through his life of suffering and sorrow, often do we behold him relieving the oppressed, comforting the afflicted, healing the infirm, and ever ready to forgive. Let us then, who are trying to follow in his steps, endeavor to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called, and with all lowliness and meekness and long-suffering, forbear one another in love, and ever be in possession of that compassionate, tender and forgiving spirit that was found in the Son of God. Dear reader, let us examine ourselves. Do we behold within, as much of that blessed principle of love and forgiveness, as we ought to possess? Can all who are looking for redemption at the speedy coming of Christ, bow before God, and in sincerity and truth pray after this manner, "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those that trespass against us." After this manner Jesus tells us to pray. Then how can we expect to be forgiven, frail and erring creatures as we are, if we neglect to forgive others? We find much in Luke vi, relative to our duty on this point. "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." We also read, "Be ye therefore merciful as your Father also is merciful." "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged, condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned, forgive and ye shall be forgiven." We again find in Luke xvii, 3, 4, an example worthy our imitation: "Take heed to yourselves; if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent, thou shalt forgive him." Here then it seems is a plain command which it is positively certain we should obey.

We ought then as humble followers of Christ, to be careful that we exact no more of an erring brother, than the simple expression, "I repent." We have this for an example, that it is not great words, neither long and learned confessions that should only be received, but easy and simple language as this is all that seems to be required. Certain it is, if we are in the place we should be, and would obey the divine teachings of our Saviour, we should ever stand ready to forgive from our hearts every one their trespasses. Says Paul, in his epistle to the Ephesians, [iv, 32,] "Be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake, hath forgiven you." We are also admonished to put on bowels of mercies, kindness, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another. We should be careful too that we judge not our brother, bearing in mind the words of the Apostle: "Thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest." Then let us take heed to these things; as we learn from scripture that we can have no excuse if we do them. Often has the honest soul been most bitterly stung by being cruelly and wrongfully judged. May we, therefore, watch against and carefully avoid every appearance of evil, that we offend not in word or in deed. M. S. AVERY.