The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-07-23
Saturday. July %.
1910

able position OF Divine relationshiu
and only these are meant IN the par.
able. Furthermore, the parable does
not even consider the church on the
score OF origipaf sin. II Is not the
thought that original sin may be- can.
celled ON account OF prayer. The
penalty for original sin needed In bs
paid, not by the prayer OF the ain
ners. but by the precious blood Of
Christ. But after having our sins for
given through turning from ain and
faith In Christ. and through consecra-
ton TO the Lord and begettins OF the
holy spirit, then we are His servant..
and the parable relates TO these only.
The first servant mentioned IN The
parable had been very derelIct "a a
servant of God. As n follower az
Christ he had como far short The
time OF reckoning came He realized
II and besought Divine favor and
mercy, promising to do all he could tn
make up for the deficiencies. He was
heard; the sentence upon him was
stayed. But when he went forth to
find a fellow servant who owed him
a trihlng sum. and would have no
mercy upon him, his master was very
angry and declared that ne, too, must
be harshly dealt with and receive no
mercy. because he had shown none
TO his fellow-servant. His lords
words were, "Shouldest not thou also
have had compassion tmercy) upon
thy fellow servant even as I had
mercy on theey And his lord de
livered him TO the tormentors until
he should pay all that was due" The
amount due would not include any
part OF the penalty OF original sin.
but merely the penalty for the short
comings OF the transgressor az re-
spects his Covenant Relationship, an
servant who was also debtor from
the time he became servant.
The Lords words concluding tho
parable are. $50 shall also my heav-
emily Father do unto you, II ye from
your hearts forgive not every one his
brother his trespasses." In another
text our Lord inculcates the same
thought In different words, saying:
IF We forgive men their trespasses
your heavenly Father will also for
give you"
The purpose and object OF our
heavenly Father in thus dealing with
us seems not clear TO ALL 1t Is not
that he wishes TO retallate II Is not
that he would say TO us, IF you ara
mean towards others I will be mean
towards YOU" Rather the lesson IL
this, II am kind to the unthankful;
have been very gracious TO you I'm
the forgiveness of your original sin
and in accepting your conservation To
be my servant and In bringing you In.
TO my family, but | have called you
into this position for a special pur-
pose and you will not be ut nor be
prepared for the service | desire for
you unless you learn the lesson OF
forgiveness and generosity; hence. for
your sake 1 make the rule that / will
be no more generous to you and your
imperfections than you are generous
toward your brethren In their imper-
fections. | do this In order to teach
you a great lesson which canno 3
well learned In any other way. What
| am seeking In you as my servant
Is perfection In my character-lfkeness-
You are inclined TO look at the justice
OF my character and TO copy II and t0
deal severely with others who ara
your debtors. wish TO make clear
TO you that the grandest elements Oh
my character are illustrated from tho
standpoint OF my love and sympathy.
my kindness and forbearance. Be-
cause | desire you to progress In this
character-likeness and so come to the
| position where / can use you I'm my
| Gervice more abundantly, therefore
rule that you must be forgiving and
gracious one toward another even as
| have already been gracious toward
you, and even as l propose yet fur
Their to be gracious to you, II you win
abide in harmony with my spirit OF
love and seek to walk In my way.
am ready TO forgive the loving and
generous who are seeking TO copy my
character; | am ready TO be kind and
generous and forgiving to the great
est degree"
The kindest and the happiest pair
Will find occasion to forbear.
And something every day they live
To pity, and perhaps forgive"