The Key to Forgiveness
Basilea Schlink teaches that true forgiveness is the key to opening the heart to God and others, achieved by recognizing our own faults and receiving God's love.
In "The Key to Forgiveness," Basilea Schlink explores the vital role of forgiveness in the Christian walk. She shares a moving testimony illustrating how recognizing one’s own faults can unlock the heart to God’s love and bring reconciliation. This devotional message encourages believers to open their hearts through prayer and receive the tender love needed to forgive others. Schlink’s heartfelt teaching offers hope and practical guidance for anyone struggling with bitterness or closed relationships.
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 Basilea Schlink 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 have been listening to a program written by Basilea Schlink of the Little Land of Canaan. To learn more about how God lives and works today, visit us at our website, www.canaan.org. That's K-A-N-A-A-N dot org.
If you contact us, we would be happy to send you a free inspirational booklet. If you do not have access to the web, please write to God Lives and Works Today, 9849 North 40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85028-4099. God bless you.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Problem of a Closed Heart
- Feeling unable to forgive those who have sinned against us
- A closed heart blocks relationship with God and others
- Examples of irritation and bitterness in daily life
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II. The Necessity of Forgiving Love
- God dwells only with those who forgive
- Forgiveness as the key to opening the heart
- The danger of refusing forgiveness
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III. The Path to Forgiveness
- Recognizing one’s own faults and guilt
- The miracle of exchanging a beam for a splinter
- Prayer for God’s love to enable mercy
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IV. The Result of Forgiveness
- Reconciliation and peace with others
- Transformation of relationships
- Living with God’s love in the heart
Key Quotes
“A closed door to your neighbor means a closed door to God, and that you can't afford.” — Basilea Schlink
“The exchange of a beam for a splinter: her own guilt became as large and heavy as a beam, and the guilt of her mother as small as a splinter.” — Basilea Schlink
“Lord, love like this give me. Give me your love, Lord.” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
- Examine your own faults honestly to help open your heart to forgive others.
- Pray daily for God’s love to fill your heart and empower you to show mercy.
- Seek reconciliation actively to experience peace and restored relationships.