An unforgiving disposition will hinder one from being humble or from
reaching the necessary point of submission. When Stephen was being
stoned by his persecutors, his dying prayer was, "Lord, lay not this sin
to their charge." One Sunday when I was conducting an inquiry-service
in a State prison, after I had commented on these words of Jesus, "If ye
forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your
trespasses," a prisoner arose and said, "For years I have sought the
Lord, but never before have I known what hindered me from obtaining
peace to my soul. But now I see it is because I have held a grudge
against those who have wronged me. I forgive them." Peace came into his
soul as he yielded this point.