Article April 12, 1930 Issue

How Often Shall We Forgive?

JEAN E. CARTH

A Convincing proof of Christian attainment is the ability to overcome resentment. How often some trivial word or deed may seek to enter thought as an arrow that rankles as long as it is permitted to remain where it has embedded itself! As a wound cannot be healed while the barb remains, the first necessity is to extract the belief of hate by filling the heart with Love's healing balm. Better would it have been had thought been so protected by reflecting Truth that the suggestion would not have been accepted, so causing mental anguish. When thought is constantly on the alert to analyze a situation before accepting evidences, righteous judgment prevails, and there is little danger of feeling offended, hurt, or humiliated.

Once when Christ Jesus was in Galilee feeding the multitudes with words of Truth, he spoke to his disciples on forgiveness. Peter, who had not been able to comprehend the practical power of unlimited love asked, "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?" And "Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."

Our Saviour undoubtedly meant that we are never justified in withholding forgiveness. He had taught his disciples to pray, "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." If we wish to be forgiven, we must forgive. No one should lightly assume that he has no need of being forgiven. In praying for grace each day, we may well remember that if we would be forgiven we must be willing to forgive.

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