J Heinrich Arnold-Freedom from sinful thoughts.pdf

FREEDOM FROM SINFUL THOUGHTS - T H E A U T H O Rence to the demands of the Gospel. But just as he foughtevil in others, he fought it in himself, and the fight wasnever against a person, but against sin. At times, thisearned him the criticism of being too “emotional,” butas he himself once asked, how can one who loves Christbe coolly detached when the honor of the church is atstake?It was this, too, that enabled him to call for repentanceso sharply at times: “Are we ready to let Christ’sWord cut deeply into us, or will we repeatedly protectand harden ourselves against it? We do not realize howoften we stand in God’s way. But we can ask him to cutus with his Word, even if it hurts.” With the same vigorand insistence that he called for repentance, however, healso strove for compassion and forgiveness. If anyonetook seriously Jesus’ injunction to forgive so that wemay be forgiven, and to forgive seventy times seven, itwas he.As elder of the Bruderhof communities, Arnold spentmany hours reading, re-reading, and prayerfully consideringthe contents of a daily flood of letters, and hisanswers illustrated the humility with which he responded.When he was asked a question, he counseled,comforted, admonished, and even sharply censured, buthe never criticized or belittled anyone who turned tohim. And though hundreds of people turned to him year79