Counsel #9 — Bible Examples

Picture: Counsel #9 — Bible ExamplesCR 165.1

From the earliest accounts to the final chapters, forgiveness emerges as a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting both God's character and humanity's capacity to be renewed in the image of God. The Old Testament paints a poignant portrait of God's unwavering patience with the Israelites despite their repeated disobedience. Joseph's extraordinary act of forgiving his brothers, who had betrayed and sold him into slavery, stands as a testament to human capacity to love as Jesus did. In the New Testament, Stephen, as he was being stoned, echoed his Master's prayer, imploring forgiveness for his persecutors. These biblical figures, among many others, illustrate the power of forgiveness and serve as inspiring models for us today.^{[162]https://www.adventist.org/examples-of-forgiveness-in-the-bible/}CR 165.2

“As the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” Colossians 3:13 NKJVCR 165.3

“The glory of God shone upon [Stephen], and while he was beholding the face of his Lord, the enemies of Christ stoned him to death. Would we not think that a hard death to die? But the fear of death was gone, and his last breath was spent in petitioning the Lord to forgive his persecutors.” Ellen White in My Life Today, p. 67CR 165.4

Reflect: What steps can you take to develop a greater capacity to see others through God's eyes, as Stephen did?CR 165.5