River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-03-17

but an increase of disease, sick
ness?
The Jews were under the Law
Covenant of do and live and hence
the forgiveness of sins with them
would imply proportionate release
from sins infrmities, under the
New Covenant during the Mlllen-
mum. Ger. 31:31.) When the glori-
fed Christ shall in the end of this
age antitypically sprinkle the mercy
seat with the virtue of his secondary
sacrifice it will not be for the
Church, as at first, but for the
world, for all the people" (Lev.
1881 With the Church of this
Gospel Age the Divine program is
different. Received under the Alb
rahanic Covenant, the forgiveness
of their sins is associated with their
Conservation Vow to sacrifice the
earthly life and all its interests for
the attainment of the heavenly life
and joint-heirship with the Redeem
er in his Kingdom. Hence the for
giveness of sins does not mean to
the Church release from physical
ailments.
1t was shortly after this that
Matthew, elsewhere styled Levi,
was called to be one of the twelve
Apostles. He was a publican
that is to say, collector OF taxes
for the Roman Government. Pub
licans were despised for two reas-
ons:-
Cd 1t was considered disreputa-
BILE to assist foreign government
to collect taxes from ones friends
kin.
ca Many of these publicans
were rascally and took advantage
of their position to make them
selves wealthy through brides, over
collections, etc. We may be sure
that Matthew-Levi was not of the
dishonest type, else he never would
have been called to association with
Messiah as one of his Apostles and
prospective joint-heirs with him in
his Kingdom. For such position
the highest degree of honesty is
requisite. And if Jesus would new
er call a dishonest man, neither
would a dishonest man have accept
ed his call, because there was moth
ing to be gained-neither reputa-
ton, wages nor fraud. Similarly
Zaccheus was an honest publican
who offered to restore fourfold to
anyone he had wronged, thus en-
phasizing the fact that he would
not want to be dishonest.
Other Scriptures intimate that
Matthew at once made supper for
his friends and acquaintance with
the Lord, who also was a guest.
But the Pharisees, cynical and crit
ical and fault-fnding, objected that
if Jesus were righteous he would
not be found in such company.
Our Lord, however, sent them word
that not the healthy, but the sick
need a physician, intimating that
for this reason he was fellowship
ing sinners, that ne 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 wonderful memory the
words from Hosea the Phrophet, |
desired mercy and not sacrifice. =
| (Hosea 6:6) He tells them that he
came not to call the righteous, no,
not one" (Romans 3:10.) All are
sinners. All have come short of
the Divine standard of perfection.
Whoever, therefore, claims that
he is righteous and on that score
rejects the Redeemer is a hypocrite
in a wrong condition of mind, not
ready for any of the blessings God
now has to bestow. God is calling
none to discipleship with Jesus, ex-
cept such as acknowledge that by
nature they were children of wrath
and who first accept forgiveness of
sins through precious blood.
Baby won't suffer five minutes
with Group if YOU apply DR.. Thorn