A Lesson From Jane

Early in 2008, PBS aired adaptations of Jane Austen's novels. I thoroughly enjoyed watching these movies, and since they aired, we have bought a number of them. Who could tire of Elizabeth Bennett, Elinor Dashwood, Mr. Knightley, or Fanny Price?

One of the lines that always stands out to me from Pride and Prejudice is one that is uttered by Mr. Darcy when he, Elizabeth Bennett, Miss Bingley, and Mr. and Mrs. Hurst are in the drawing-room after dinner. (This is chapter 11.) Mr. Darcy says:

"I cannot forget the follies and vices of others

so soon as I ought, nor their offences against

myself. My feelings are not puffed about with

every attempt to move them. My temper

would perhaps be called resentful. --

My good opinion once lost is lost for ever.''

(emphasis mine)

By contrast, God speaks to this many times in His Word. (All verses are from the ESV.)

"Good sense makes one slow to anger,

and it is his glory to overlook an offense."

(Proverbs 19:11)

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted,

forgiving one another, as God in Christ

forgave you."

(Ephesians 4:32)

"... bearing with one another and, if one

has a complaint against another, forgiving

each other as the Lord has forgiven you, so

you must also forgive."

(Colossians 3:13)

"For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,

and I will remember their sins no more."

(Hebrews 8:12)

Aren't you glad that, as that last verse says, God no longer remembers our sins? He does not hold them against those who have trusted His Son for their salvation.

What about you and me? Do you forgive those who have offended you? Are you resentful? Or are you like Mr. Darcy? Examine your heart. If you are holding anything against anyone, make it right today.

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and

there remember that your brother has some-

thing against you, leave your gift there before

the altar and go. First be reconciled to your

brother, and then come and offer your gift.
(Matthew 5: 23 - 24)

Holding Faith,