The Adventist Way of Life

How responsible am I for the acts of others? As Christians we are to set an example to those around us and collectively to the world. What kind of example? One of “perfection of character”. Jesus Christ is our example setter. Does this mean we are to be perfect in the sense that we, on our own strength, become sinless? God forbid!

Perfection of character involves calling sin, SIN! When we make a mistake we need to address it. Both presumptuous [ignorant] and conscious sin,…t’is still sin. But what if we have hurt others in the past during one of our “backslidden” conditions? We should try and make amends the Biblical way.

Matthew 6:14-15   ”If you forgive those who sin against you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you.  But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Jesus also instructs fellow believers to go to the person that they have issue with and address the issue one on one. If it is still not resolved he is to take with him another Christian that the witness of right doing has been addressed. But some circumstances do not always allow for this. But we should make the effort.

Some further counsel given to us by our Lord is:

“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” — Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:23,24)

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”– Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:12)

We should make direct amends to people we have directly hurt except when to do so would just create more problems. Always we should pray for those we have hurt and ask God to heal them from the harm we have caused.

If another person has said something to hurt us we should forgive him wether he asks for forgiveness or not. And we certainly, as Christians, should not take revenge on such an one by telling others about his character defects. We all have said and done things to hurt others. We could in no way go back to every person we have hurt and personally address the issues. But we can ask God to do those things which we cannot.

We are to “love our enemies”. This is a challenge.  If wetruly realize our own sinfulness we will be less judgmental of those around us. Personal inventory is key to spiritual maturity.

Christian author Ellen White has said; “The closer you come to Jesus, the more faulty you will appear in your own eyes; for your vision will be clearer, and your imperfections will be seen in broad and distinct contrast to His perfect nature. This is evidence that Satan’s delusions have lost their power; that the vivifying influence of the Spirit of God is arousing you.” SC.065.001

If you have been devastated by an act of hatred or evil against you, you may not want to hear this now.  But, it is in your best interest to pay close attention here. Think of something you did in your own past that hurt another. Perhaps something you said or did. Is it possible for you to find him and say; “Please forgive me for such and such.”?

And even if you ask this person to forgive you and he refuses your forgiveness….you have done your part. If the person in question has been someone that relationalship battles have continued with perhaps it’s time to leave him alone. In some situations, no communication is necessary or not possible between the two of you.  You will be directed as to which course to take in any situation by the presence of the Holy Spirit living in you.

Now on the other hand, if we have been hurt personally by another, even another Christian, and we feel that he has not addressed the issue of forgiveness with us, are we to start telling others all the character defects we believe that the person has? God forbid!

Gossip can be bred out of the need for self-justification. It may start as a simple conversation about people, and then escalates quickly. The Bible clearly tells us to do more than discuss other people’s lives.

Leviticus 19:16 – “Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.”

Proverbs 11:13 – “A gossip betrays a confidence,but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.”

Romans 1:29 – “They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips.”

1 Timothy 5:13 – “Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.”

Matthew 7:1 – “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”

Proverbs 18:8 – “The words of gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.”

We are not to dwell on past mistakes or tell others about all our problems. Listen to what Christian author Ellen G. White says regarding this issue;

“It is not wise to gather together all the unpleasant recollections of a past life,–its iniquities and disappointments,–to talk over them and mourn over them until we are overwhelmed with discouragement. A discouraged soul is filled with darkness, shutting out the light of God from his own soul and casting a shadow upon the pathway of others.” SC.118.001

I truly believe that if we focus more on our own character development, and personal issues of reform, we will be ready to follow the counsel of Jesus Christ regarding these very important issues involving forgiveness. I can say that I ask Jesus to forgive me everyday and to heal all those whom I have hurt by word of mouth, thought, or action.

May we as Christians trust that Jesus will do those things we cannot and heal the relationships where we are powerless.

In His precious name, Jesus Christ

Amen

Written by, Eric W. King [October 19,2007]

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The only way you will ever be able to discern truth from lies is to know the truth. Truth becomes the benchmark by which everything else is measured.

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