Forgiving Those Who Wrong Us
By J. Clarke
"And Forgive us our Debts as we Forgive our Debtors." Matt. vi, 12. "I CAN forgive, but cannot easily forget," says one, who hopes in the Saviour, "it is so hard to forget an injury, especially when intended, and so aggravated as this. To be so treated by my friend, one in whom I confided, and just the person I had chosen as more true than most of the selfish crowd. Alas! alas! how can I forget. I think of it and brood over it, and how can I help it?" Such feelings are often expressed, and oftener felt. Such is the language of the carnal (fleshly) mind, of which the believer must be purged. "I cannot forget," or in other words, "I do not forgive." O, how dangerous is such a state of heart. Dare any one ask Jehovah to forgive thus? Would we have God to brood in silence over our ungrateful disobedience? Would heaven be a Paradise, if God beheld his saints with all our offences still in view casting a fearful shadow backward to a world of woe? Could the New Jerusalem be a happy place, even with its pearly gates, its rapturous music, its golden pavement, transparent with light from the throne of God? No, truly, a place of sorrow would it be if all our sins are to be remembered. Not thus does God forgive. His pardon is full and free, no reproach, nor upbraiding, but reconciliation and love. The pardoned rebel is placed upon the same ground as though he had never sinned. A new robe, white and clean, is put upon him, even the righteousness of Christ. He is admitted to see the beauties of the scheme of redemption in the word of God, while the works of creation and providence are unfolded in the clear light of the renewed mind. Shall I forgive my enemy, who under the cloak of candor hides the deadly weapon of slander? As Christ prayed for his enemies who nailed him to the wood, and as Stephen prayed for his cruel murderers, "Father, forgive them," so let us daily nourish patience, forbearance, compassion and love; and as trials encompass us around, strength and grace will be granted. Then we triumphant over self, banishing malice and pride, love being the ruling principle of the heart, will love our enemies, and from the heart will pray, "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." J. CLARKE. Portage, Wood Co., Ohio.