The California Collection/TheCaliforniaCollection.cdr/his086/righting.lzh/RIGHTING.TXT

Text File | 1991-07-12 | 2KB | 40 lines

DEV:Righting a Wrong

   Read-Colossians 3:12-17

   Righting a Wrong

   Therefore, as the elect of God....put on tender mercies, kindness,
humbleness of mind. Colossians 3:12

   Many years ago, a Christian professor Stuart Blackie of the
University of Edinburgh was listening to his students as they presented
oral readings. When one young man rose and began his recitation, he
held his book in the wrong hand. The professor thundered, "Take your
book in your right hand, and be seated!" At this harsh rebuke, the
student held up his right arm. He didn't have a right hand. The other
students shifted uneasily in their chairs. For a moment the professor
hesitated. Then he made his way to the student, put his arm around him,
and with tears streaming from his eyes, said,"I never knew about it.
Please will you forgive me?" His humble apology made a lasting impact
on that young man.

   This story was told sometime later in a large gathering of
believers. At the close of the meeting a man came forward turned to the
crowd, and raised his right arm. It ended at the wrist. He said, "I was
that student. Professor Blackie led me to Christ. But he never could
have done it if he had not made the wrong right."

   Who can tell what far-reaching effect an admission of wrong or a
genuine act of mercy may have upon a neighbor, a friend or a fellow
worker? It might open the door for a word of testimony about the Savior
- a door now closed because of some careless word or inconsiderate act.
Is there someone we need to approach today with an apology in
"Humbleness of mind"? Is there a wrong we need to make right? -P.R.V.

   Did you waste the day or lose it? Was it well or poorly spent? Did
you leave a trail of kindness? Or a scar of discontent?

   ADMITTING AN ERROR IS NOT A CONFESSION OF WEAKNESS, BUT RATHER A
SIGN OF STRENGTH.....