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XII.
Christian Growth and Experience
Chapter 131
:
Confessing Faults, Forgiving One Another
1. WHAT has God
promised to do when we confess our sins?
"If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1
John 1:9.
2. How has it been made
possible for sins to be forgiven?
"If any man sin, we have an advocate
with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and
He is the propitiation for our sins." 1
John 2:1,2.
3. To whom should sins
be confessed, and why?
"Against Thee, Thee only, have I
sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight."
Ps. 51:4. See Gen. 39:9.
4. What instruction is
given concerning confession of faults?
"Confess your faults one to
another, and pray one for another, that ye
may be healed." James 5:16.
NOTES.-The Bible makes a distinction between
a sin and a fault. We sin against God; for
sin is the transgression of His law. 1 John
3:4. We trespass one against another. These
offenses, while involving sin, are called
faults, and should be corrected by
confession and forgiveness. The only remedy
for either pointed out in the Word of God is
heartfelt confession. One writer aptly says:
"Confess your sins to God, who only can
forgive them, and your faults to one
another. If you have given offense to your
friend or neighbor, you are to acknowledge
your wrong, and it is his duty freely to
forgive you. Then you are to seek the
forgiveness of God, because the brother you
have wounded is the property of God, and in
injuring him you sinned against his Creator
and Redeemer."
To confess one's faults is not an easy thing
to do; in fact, it is one of the hardest
lessons to learn, for it requires the grace
of humility as well as that of sorrow and
true repentance. It has been said that the
four hardest words to pronounce in the
English language are, " I made a mistake."
Frederick the Great wrote to the Prussian
senate, "I have just lost a battle, and it
is my own fault." Concerning this Goldsmith
says, "His confession shows more greatness
than his victories."
The confession should not only be complete,
but it should be as broad and as public as
was the offense. Private offenses should be
confessed in private.
5. When we do wrong,
what is the natural thing for us to do?
Excuse it, seek to hide it, or blame
some one else for it. See Gen. 3:12,13; 4:9.
6. After David's great
sin had been pointed out to him, what did he
say?
"I have sinned." 2 Sam. 12:13. "I
acknowledge my transgressions." Ps. 51:3.
7. When David in
contrition of heart confessed his sin, what was
God's word to him by Nathan, the prophet?
"And David said unto Nathan, I have
sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto
David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin;
thou shalt not die." 2 Sam. 12:13.
NOTE.-This scripture is especially
encouraging. God hates sin. He wants us
likewise to hate it and shun it, because it
invariably gets us into trouble, causes
sorrow of heart, and in the end brings
death. But when involved in it, as was
David, as soon as it is acknowledged and
sincerely confessed, that very moment it
is forgiven. David said, "I have
sinned." The immediate answer was
returned, "The Lord also hath put away
thy sin."
8. Is it ever right to
tell a brother of his faults?
"If thy brother shall trespass
against thee, go and tell him his fault
between thee and him alone: if he shall hear
thee, thou hast gained thy brother." Matt.
18:15. "Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine
heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy
neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him." Lev.
19:17.
9. In what spirit
should this kind of work be done?
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a
fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an
one in the spirit of meekness;
considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."
Gal. 6:1.
NOTE.-It is much easier to tell some one
else of a brother's faults than it is to
tell him of them himself; but
this is not the Christian way to proceed.
The first efforts should be made with the
offender in person, and alone.
But it is easier even to tell a brother
of his faults than it is to confess
to him our own. This, again, let it
be noted, is the one very difficult lesson
to learn, the one Christian duty difficult
to perform. Only humility and the grace of
God will enable one, to do it.
10. When we pray; what
does Christ tell us to do, and why?
"And when ye stand praying,
forgive, if ye have aught against ally:
that your Father also which is in heaven
may forgive you your trespasses." Mark
11:25.
11. It we do not
forgive others, what will God not do?
"But if ye do not forgive, neither
will your Father which is in heaven forgive your
trespasses." Verse 26. See, for
illustration, Christ's parable recorded in Matt.
18:23-35.
12. What words of
Joseph to his brethren show that he forgave them
for selling him into Egypt?
"Now therefore be not grieved, nor
angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither:
for God did send me before you to preserve life.
. . . So now it was not you that sent me
hither, but God." Gen. 45:5-8.
13. What was Christ's
reply to Peter's question as to the number of
times we should forgive one another?
"Then came Peter to him, and said,
Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me,
and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith
unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven
times: but, Until seventy times seven."
Matt. 18:21,22.
NOTE.-That is, an unlimited number. We must
pardon offenses against us though ever so
often done; we must forgive to the end.
14. What spirit did
Jesus manifest toward those who nailed Him to
the cross?
"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive
them; for they know not what they do." Luke
23:34.
15. How did Stephen
manifest the same spirit toward those who stoned
him?
"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, . .
. and he kneeled down, and cried with a loud
voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their
charge." Acts 7:59,60. See 1 Peter 4:8. |
