Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1910-03-19

effect is not only moral abasemenr,
but an increase Of disease sickness?
Tie Jews were under the Law Cow
enant of DO AND LIVE and hence the
forgiveness Of sins with them would
simply proportionate release from
sins infrmities, under the New Coyen-
ant during the millennium Ger. 81:
81 When the glorifad Christ shall in
the end Of this age antiypically sprin-
kle the mercy-seat with tie virtue of
his secondary sacrifice it viii not be
for the Church. as at first, but for the
world. for all the people" LEV. 16:
49, With the Church Of this Gospel
Age the Divine programme is differ
ent. Received under the Abrahamlc
Covenant, the forgiveness of their
sins is associated with their Consecra-
| ton Vow to sacrifice the earthly life
and all its interests for the attainment
of the heavenly life and joint-heirship
with the Redeemer in his Kingdom.
+ Hence the forgiveness of sins does not
mean to the Church release from ply
steal ailments.
Il was shortly after this that Mat
thew. elsewhere styled Levi, was
called to be one of the twelve Apos-
ties. He was a publican-that is 10
say, a collector Of taxes for the Roman
/ Government. PubIicans were daenisa5
for two reasons
a.. 1t was considered disreputable
to assist foreign government 10 col
lect taxes from ones friends-kin.
| ~. Many Of these publicans were
rascally and took advantage Of their
position to make themselves wealthy
/ through brides, oyer-collectons, etc.
We may be sure that Matthew-Levl
was not of the dishonest type, else he
never would have been called to asso-
oiate with Messiah, iiERaas Qqf his Apos-
ties and prospect 70 zirs with
him in his Kingfam. Fol. .ch posi-
ton is the higheshegree honesty IS
requisite. And Is vsus would never
call dishonest man, neither would q
/ dishonest man have accepted his call
because there was nothing to be gain
, ed-neither reputation, wages nor
fraud. Similarly Zaccheus was an
honest publican who offered TO restore
fourfold to anyone he had wronged
thus emphasizing the fact that he
would not want to be dishonest.
Other Scriptures intimate that Mat
thew at once made a supper for his
friends and acquaintance, that these
might thus have the better opportunity
for acquaintance with the Lord, who
also was a guest. But the Pharisees
cynical and critical and fault-fnding
objected that il Jesus were righteous
he would not be found in such COM
pany. Our Lord. however, sent them
word that not the healthy, but the sick
need a physician, intimating that for
this reason he was fellowshiping sin
ners, that he might do them good. He
was not descending to sin in any
form, but seeking to lift up sinners
Then he quoted to them from his won,
derful memory the words from Hosea
the Prophet, I desired mercy and not
sacrifice. " Hosea 6:6) He tells them
that he came not to call the righteous.
but sinners. Note a lesson for our
selves and for all: There is none
righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:
: To- All are sinners. All have come
short of the Divine standard Of perfec-
/, ton. Whoever. therefore, claims that
} he is righteous and on that score re-
: jects the Redeemer is a hypocrit-in a
wrong condition of mind, not ready for
! any of the blessings God now has to
bestow. God is calling none to dis
cipleship with Jesus, except such as
acknowledge that by nature they were
children of wrath and who first accept
forgiveness of sins through the prec-
. ious blood.