| The Joy of Service |
Chapter 13 |
Page 6 |
The same is true of unjust treatment. There is a great deal of unlovingness in the world. There are some persons whose life is one long record of endured wrong or injustice. There are few, if any, who at some time do not have to suffer at the hand of others. How to meet these experiences is one of the most important questions we have to consider. There are two aspects of it: What is our duty toward others? What does the law of love require? Here the teaching of the New Testament is very plain. We are to cherish the spirit of forgiveness. We are to return kindness of unkindness, good for evil. “If thine enemy hunger, feed him.”
Then there is an aspect of the question which concerns our own inner spiritual life. We must see to it that we are not hurt in our soul, in the depts. Of our being, in our life and character, by wrongs, injustices, or unkindnesses which others do to us. The wounding which one may inflict upon our body by a blow is not all the injury which may result. If, when we are struck, we become angry, and permit the anger to grow into resentment and bitterness and a desire for revenge, we have now received a second hurt, which is far more serious than the bodily injury inflicted by the blow.
Here it is true again, that nothing can cause one damage except one’s self. One is never a real sufferer but by his own faults. Only sin can actually do us harm. So long, therefore, as we keep our heart free from bitterness while enduring injustice or unkind treatment, we remain unharmed and beyond the reach of harm.
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