Mutual Forgiveness
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"But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:15.
The expression, "an unforgiving Christian," is a contradiction in terms. We might almost as well speak of a wise fool, an honest thief, a chaste harlot, a sober drunkard. And yet there are those who bear the name of the meek and loving Jesus — who live in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
"Ah!" said a shrewd Indian on one occasion, "Englishman's book is very good; but Englishman is not so good as Englishman's book." And the testimony is true. It is so concerning many particulars — but especially as regards the spirit to which we are now adverting. In reference to the forgiveness and brotherly kindness we ought to cherish — the love, and peace, and harmony we ought to pursue — Christian's book is good indeed; its goodness in that one department loudly proclaims its heavenly origin, for where besides are such precepts to be found? Let the treasures of classic lore be searched, the ethics of pagan sages be ransacked — and can anything worthy of being named the same day, be produced from such sources. But while the Christian's book is thus good — let the Christian take shame to himself — that he and his book are so unlike each other! The pages of the book full of love — but how frequently is the man characterized by hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness! Now what are we to think of such? There is much room for suspecting that the religion of such people is vain!
Reader, cultivate the important and lovely grace of brotherly forgiveness. No duty is urged more clearly and repeatedly; it is a subject on which we have line upon line, precept upon precept. In the beautiful form of prayer which the Saviour gave His disciples, they were taught to say, "Forgive us our debts — as we forgive our debtors" — a petition which He enforced by adding, "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Says the apostle, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved — clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
In extending forgiveness to our fellow creatures, and especially to our fellow Christians, we should seek to do it after the divine pattern. "I, even I — am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and will not remember your sins." We are here shown that God not merely forgives but forgets — and we are required to do the one as well as the other. Let, then, all animosity be buried, and let no tombstone be erected to mark the place of its interment, and serve as a memorial to keep it fresh in mind. Above the grave in which God has laid the sins of His people — no such remembrance can be put up; for what says the prophet? "He will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea!" They are buried in the fathomless ocean, and thus, if sought for, can never be found. "Be therefore, followers of God, as dear children;" yes, "Be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect."
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