David sinned, grievously sinned, so that death walked into his home four times in consequence. Abraham and Moses also sinned, and their sins are written in the record of the prophets.
But all these men repented and they were forgiven. When their names appear in the New Testament, no mention of their sin appears. Why? God's forgiveness is a reality. "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." Isa. 1:18.
Is your forgiveness of others a reality? Have you learned to forgive "from the heart"? If not, you will need to step higher in Christian experience, for the Christian life of a worker must be one of perfect forgiveness—a forgiveness that extends to enemies as well as friends. The divine Master forgave and prayed for His murderers. "Even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."
Weak, half-hearted, and imperfect forgiveness is valueless. The root of bitterness remains, and it will grow and bear its bitter fruit. True forgiveness brings joy, and its mastery of self is the greatest victory after all.
A little blind boy was asked, "What is forgiveness?" He replied, "It is the odor that flowers breathe when they are trampled upon!" Has the perfume passed out from your life? Even if your life has been crushed, it should be there.
Two good men disputed and then parted in anger. Thinking afterward, one of them remembered the words, "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath." He hastened, just before the sunset, to the home of the other man, knocked, and the other angry man opened the door. "The sun is almost down," he exclaimed. This unexpected salutation softened the heart of the man within, and he called, "Come in, brother, come in!"
The great sun is near its final setting. Brother worker, have all wrongs been forgiven?
Wahroon,ga, N. S. W.
