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The Key to Forgiveness
Basilea Schlink

Basilea Schlink (1904 - 2001). German religious leader, writer, and co-founder of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary, born Klara Schlink in Darmstadt to a professor of mechanics. Raised Lutheran, she studied at Fröbelseminar in Kassel (1923) and Berlin’s Inner Mission girls’ school (1924), later earning a doctorate in psychology from Hamburg University in 1934 with a thesis on adolescent faith struggles. From 1933 to 1935, she led the Women’s Division of the German Student Christian Movement, resisting Nazi exclusion of Jewish Christians. In 1947, with Erika Madauss, she founded the Sisterhood in Darmstadt, taking the name Mother Basilea, growing it to 209 sisters across 11 global branches by 2001. Schlink authored over 60 books, including My All for Him, translated into 60 languages, and published tracts in 90. Her radio programs aired in 23 languages, emphasizing repentance and reconciliation, especially between Germans and Jews. Unmarried, she dedicated her life to prayer and ministry, shaping interdenominational Christian communities.
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In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a woman who attended a retreat and was struggling to forgive her controlling mother. Feeling depressed and unable to solve her problem, she cried out to the Lord for guidance. As she reflected on the lesson of loving our brothers and neighbors, a miracle occurred in her heart. She realized her own guilt and the guilt of her mother, and through this realization, she was able to forgive and reconcile with her mother. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing our own guilt and forgiving others, as it brings about reconciliation, peace, and a deeper understanding of God's love.
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God lives and works today, but maybe you feel that this isn't true in your life. However, Jesus is standing at the door of your heart and knocking. Have you closed it to Him and your brothers by refusing to forgive those who have sinned against you? Maybe you want to forgive, but you just can't. Today's meditation, The Key to Forgiveness by Basilia Schlenk can help you. Have you been irritated again by your colleagues at work or by others in your family? You just can't take certain things from them? If that's the case, a door in your heart has been closed, and this is a very dangerous situation. A closed door to your neighbor means a closed door to God, and that you can't afford. The living God is only with those who can forgive others. But how does one attain such forgiving love? Let me tell you what happened to a lady who took part in one of our retreats. On the way home, she sat in the train, thinking over everything she had heard. She was very depressed because her real problem had not been solved. Her mother ruled over her with an iron hand. She wouldn't let her lead her own life, although she was already a mature adult. She could not forgive her mother. A door in her heart was closed. Unhappy about this, she cried out to the Lord, Show me where I am the stumbling block. Reading over her notes, she came upon the lesson, Love for our brothers, love for our neighbors. Then what she had hoped for happened. A miracle took place in her heart. The exchange of a beam for a splinter. That is, her own guilt became as large and as heavy as a beam, And the guilt of her mother became as small as a splinter. God had answered her prayer. He showed her her own failure in His light. After her return home, we received a happy letter. It is amazing. Mother and I get along splendidly. And all this has taken place since I saw my guilt. Yes, to see our own guilt brings forgiving and forgetting, Brings reconciliation and peace. Lord, love I lack. O Lord, give love to me. It was for love you called and called it me. O fill my heart with that tender love so true, With which I too may show mercy just like you. Lord, love like this give me. Give me your love, Lord. Love comes from you alone. O heaven, save me. Would make me all your own. Lord, love like this give me. You've been listening to a program written by Basilia Schlink of the Little Land of Canaan. If this program has been a help to you, we would be happy to send you a free leaflet by the same author. Please write to God Lives and Works Today, 9849 North 40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85028-4099. That's God Lives and Works Today, 9849 North 40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85028-4099. God bless you.
The Key to Forgiveness
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Basilea Schlink (1904 - 2001). German religious leader, writer, and co-founder of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary, born Klara Schlink in Darmstadt to a professor of mechanics. Raised Lutheran, she studied at Fröbelseminar in Kassel (1923) and Berlin’s Inner Mission girls’ school (1924), later earning a doctorate in psychology from Hamburg University in 1934 with a thesis on adolescent faith struggles. From 1933 to 1935, she led the Women’s Division of the German Student Christian Movement, resisting Nazi exclusion of Jewish Christians. In 1947, with Erika Madauss, she founded the Sisterhood in Darmstadt, taking the name Mother Basilea, growing it to 209 sisters across 11 global branches by 2001. Schlink authored over 60 books, including My All for Him, translated into 60 languages, and published tracts in 90. Her radio programs aired in 23 languages, emphasizing repentance and reconciliation, especially between Germans and Jews. Unmarried, she dedicated her life to prayer and ministry, shaping interdenominational Christian communities.