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When He Was Reviled, He Reviled Not, May 17
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, be
threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth
righteously.
1 Peter 2:23
.
How often we feel that we have been dealt with unjustly, that things
have been said concerning us that were untrue, and that we have been set
in a false light before others. When we are thus tried, we shall need to
keep strict guard over our spirit and our words. We shall need to have
the love of Christ, that we may not cherish an unforgiving spirit. Let
us not think that unless those who have injured us confess their wrongs,
we are justified in withholding from them our forgiveness. We should
not accumulate our grievances, holding them to our hearts until the one
we think guilty has humbled his heart by repentance and confession....
However sorely they may have wounded us, we are not to cherish our
grievances and sympathize with ourselves over our injuries, but as we
hope to be pardoned for our offenses against God, so must we pardon
those who have done evil to us.... When we are reviled, how strong is the
temptation to revile in return, but in doing this we show ourselves as bad
as the reviler. When tempted to revile, send up a silent prayer that God
will give you His grace, and keep the tongue in silence....
Jesus has given us an example that we should follow in His steps, and
manifest compassion and love and good-will toward all. Let us cultivate a
kind spirit, a spirit of forbearance, and tender, pitying love toward those,
who, when under temptation, have done us grievous wrongs. If possible,
let us heal these wounds, and close the door of temptation by removing
every barrier the wrongdoer has erected between himself and us.... The
Lord delights to bestow His blessings upon those who will honor Him,
who will acknowledge His mercy, and show that they appreciate His love
to them by manifesting the same gracious characteristic to those around
them
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The Youth’s Instructor, June 1, 1893
.
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