Chapter 37—Christian Forbearance
Dear Brother and Sister H,
In regard to your present relations with the church I would advise
that you do all that can be done on your part to come into harmony
with your brethren. Cultivate a kind, conciliatory spirit, and let no
feeling of retaliation come into your minds and hearts. We have but a
little time in this world, and let us work for time and for eternity. Be
diligent to make your calling and election sure. See that you make no
mistake in regard to your title to a home in Christ’s kingdom. If your
name is registered in the Lamb’s book of life, then all will be well with
you. Be ready and anxious to confess your faults and forsake them,
that your mistakes and sins may go beforehand to judgment and be
blotted out.
I believe that you are making improvement; but let the work be
deeper, more thorough, more earnest. Leave nothing undone that you
can do. Walk humbly with God, set your heart in order, overcome
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self, and watch to avoid every device of Satan. When the heart is in
harmony with Jesus, when in words, in spirit, and in deportment, you
copy the Pattern, the manners will be refined and elevated, convincing
all that there has been in you a radical change. You will then be
numbered among the virtuous, God-fearing followers of Jesus.
My brother, you have a very spotted record. God and your own soul
know this. But no one will be more rejoiced than I to see you setting
your feet in the way that Christ has walked, and to meet you in the
kingdom of God. It is difficult for us to understand ourselves, to have a
correct knowledge of our own characters. The word of God is plain, but
often there is an error in applying it to one’s self. There is liability to
self-deception and to think its warnings and reproofs do not mean me.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who
can know it?” Self-flattery may be construed into Christian emotion
and zeal. Self-love and confidence may give us assurance that we are
right when we are far from meeting the requirements of God’s word.
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