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Gospel Workers 1915
teaches them sympathy. God permits men to be placed in positions of
responsibility. When they err, He has power to correct or to remove
them. We should be careful not to take into our hands the work of
judging that belongs to God....
The Saviour bids us, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with
what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye
mete, it shall be measured to you again.” [
Matthew 7:1, 2
.] Remember
that soon your life record will pass in review before God. Remember,
too, that He has said, “Thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou
art that judgest: ...for thou that judgest doest the same things.” [
Romans
2:1
.]
[475]
Forbearance Under Wrong
We cannot afford to let our spirits chafe over any real or supposed
wrong done to ourselves. Self is the enemy we most need to fear.
No form of vice has a more baleful effect upon the character than
has human passion not under the control of the Holy Spirit. No other
victory we can gain will be so precious as the victory gained over self.
We should not allow our feelings to be easily wounded. We are to
live, not to guard our feelings or our reputation, but to save souls. As
we become interested in the salvation of souls, we cease to mind the
little differences that so often arise in our association with one another.
Whatever others may think of us, it need not disturb our oneness with
Christ, the fellowship of the Spirit. “What glory is it, if, when ye be
buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do
well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.”
[
1 Peter 2:20
.]
Do not retaliate. So far as you can do so, remove all cause for
misapprehension. Avoid the appearance of evil. Do all that lies in your
power, without the sacrifice of principle, to conciliate others. “If thou
bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath
aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way;
first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”
[
Matthew 5:23, 24
.]
If impatient words are spoken to you, never reply in the same spirit.
Remember that “a soft answer turneth away wrath.” [
Proverbs 15:1
.]
And there is wonderful power in silence. Words spoken in reply to one