The Adventist Way of Life

Christian author, Ellen White has said; “Too often when wrongs are committed again and again, and the wrongdoer confesses his fault, the injured one becomes weary, and thinks he has forgiven quite enough. But the Saviour has plainly told us how to deal with the erring: “If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.” Luke 17:3. Do not hold him off as unworthy of your confidence. Consider “thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Gal. 6:1. [COL p.249]

And do we not find this so very true? An example would be that we sometimes feel that we cannot “go on” with “such and such” until he or she asks us to forgive them. Did you know that this attitude is selfish?

Jesus never waited for us to come to Him, He came to us!

Sister White also reminds us; “Give the erring one no occasion for discouragement. Suffer not a Pharisaical hardness to come in and hurt your brother. Let no bitter sneer rise in mind or heart. Let no tinge of scorn be manifest in the voice. If you speak a word of your own, if you take an attitude of indifference, or show suspicion or distrust, it may prove the ruin of a soul. He needs a brother with the Elder Brother’s heart of sympathy to touch his heart of humanity. Let him feel the strong clasp of a sympathizing hand, and hear the whisper, Let us pray. God will give a rich experience to you both. Prayer unites us with one another and with God. Prayer brings Jesus to our side, and gives to the fainting, perplexed soul new strength to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. Prayer turns aside the attacks of Satan. ” [COL p.250]

This brings me to the importance of prayer and walking close to Jesus. When I walk close to Jesus I realize how much of a sinner I really am. I sometimes find it hard to believe that Jesus keeps forgiving me. But not only does He keep forgiving me, He keeps changing me!

I have found that those who have a strong prayer life are faster to forgive the sins of another. This is a challenge for all of us as Christians. Forgiveness is key to Christian maturity!

Sister White gives us the challenge;

“We are not forgiven because we forgive, but as we forgive. The ground of all forgiveness is found in the unmerited love of God, but by our attitude toward others we show whether we have made that love our own. Wherefore Christ says, “With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Matt. 7:2. ” [COL p251]

How about you? Is there somebody you still have yet to forgive?

Written by, Eric W. King [June 2,2007]

More articles by Eric William King regarding forgiveness:

Learning the process of forgiveness

Our salvation sure in Christ Jesus

Who’s righteousness?

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