Forbearance

A pastor once rebuked a Christian lady who had an unforgiving spirit toward someone who had offended her. After a moment's thought she replied, "Well, I guess I'll pardon her as you suggest, but I don't want anything more to do with her!" "Is that how you want God to treat you?" said Mr. Hamilton. "Do you wish His forgiveness and then have Him withdraw His love and fellowship? Remember, when Christ put away your sins, he cast them into the sea of everlasting forgetfulness!" Recognizing her wrong attitude, she repented and forgave the woman. Forbearance like this goes beyond our weak human powers. It requires God's grace and the softening influence of the Holy Spirit within our hearts.