The Key to Forgiveness
The key to forgiveness is seeing our own guilt and failure, and recognizing the beam in our own eye, which allows us to show mercy like God and experience reconciliation and peace.
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.
Full Transcript
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.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Importance of Forgiveness
- A. A closed door to forgiveness means a closed door to God
- B. Forgiveness is a requirement for a relationship with God
- II. The Problem of Unforgiveness
- A. Unforgiveness can lead to depression and unhappiness
- B. Unforgiveness can prevent us from seeing our own guilt
- III. The Key to Forgiveness
- A. Seeing our own guilt and failure
- B. Recognizing the beam in our own eye
- IV. The Power of Forgiveness
- A. Forgiveness brings reconciliation and peace
- B. Forgiveness allows us to show mercy like God
Key Quotes
“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.” — Basilea Schlink
“Yes, to see our own guilt brings forgiving and forgetting, Brings reconciliation and peace.” — Basilea Schlink
“Love comes from you alone. O heaven, save me. Would make me all your own.” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
- We must take responsibility for our own guilt and failure before we can forgive others.
- Recognizing our own guilt and failure is the key to forgiveness and reconciliation.
- Praying for love and mercy can help us to forgive others and experience peace.