Mexico weekly ledger., 1912-12-12

torglVlng haArt or else ne does not
truly care to save lost and wandering
sheep, w. 70 and IS.
This Lesson naturally divides itself
into precept w. 1922 and parable Wv,
1886.
Preeept ls Plain.
1. The precept is very plain and
quite logical. If you have been
wronged. go to him (your brother)
who wronged YOU and frankly come to
an understanding. Go alone and have
It out with him., Most quarreis will
settle themselves IL men will only 9
EYE to eye 1t is the repetition Of
our grievances by the second or third
party that usually adds fuel TO the
fire. The other steps are Just as log.
ical. The outcome is suggested In
verse IS, that to all the disciples. not
to Peter alone, is given the power to
admit and to dismiss from the com,
munion Of believers. 1t Is the prerog,
alive OF the church to bind and to
loose and TO have agreement in pray.
CIR. The church must erect standards
Of conduct, but In thus erecting stand,
ards the church must ever come to
the Father with tender compassion
on behalf Of the lost sheep.
Verses 10 and 20 have been quoted
in thousands Of prayer meetings with
often only the slightest realization OF
their full significance. Three is an
a~ttainable number; more than that ia
less easily obtainable, and has the
added danger OF harboring a hypo,
critic, thereby spelling that harmony
(Acts 2;t) that is 80 essential to the
presence of the Holy Spirit.
Peter (v. 21) suggests that there
is a point Of possible limit for our
humility and forgiveness. True, he
goes much further than most Of us
go, even to that Of the perfect num-
Der seven, but Jesus completes that
and again multiplies 1t by seven; not
that 400 is the exact number of times
to exercise forgiveness though that
would usually suffice, but rather an H.
limitable- number Of times. Resent
ment, wrath, anger, Glamour and evil
speaking are admonished to put
away tEph. ADD, and in the words
of the Golden Text, BE kind, tender
hearted, forgiving one another, even
al God for Christ's sake hath forgiven
US" There is no deep work Of grace
In the human heart until 1t Is willing
to "let" these things be put aside. As
though to make assurance doubly
sure in the minds OF his followers,
Jesus gives US a parable ". 1885,
in which he applies the precept just
given.
God ls King.
God, the King OF Heaven, Is taking
account with the sons Of men, hts
bond servants. At the outset one Is
brought into his presence who owes
about $12, 100000 "a talent OF gold
equals roughly about 81, 200. 000l he is
hopelessly in debt and had not to
pay" This is a picture OF fallen. lost
humanity standing In the presence OF
a righteous God luke 7:42, Ps. 1O3s
81, etc. This man is brought into the
Kings presence, and SO are we
brought John 1879 and Rom. IA:
100. The terrible ought and ought
not of the law is practically
presented in Matthew 25. The
debt Of our sins is a hopeless one for
any to pay except a mighty Saviour
q, Peter 2:24).
Let the law have its course is the
meaning of verse 25 Tread Gal. 3.10).
But what a gracious contrast is pre-
scented In verse 90. There we see the
compelling power of the compassion
of God, as shown In the person Of
Jesus Christ his Son, loosing the
man and setting him absolutely free
debt. Once men catch q
glimpse Of their debt OF sin, they, too,
will fall down and cry for mercy. Sal
walton is by grace (Eph. 2:S, 81, and
by grace only. From verse 27 on we
the Lord Immediately dealing with
this servant In grace. There is no
penalty held over his head. So
God stands ready to deal with us SO
soon as we acknowledge the absolute
lmpossibility of paying the debt and
call upon him for mercy.
The hardness of the human heart
Is suggested by THE awful sin OF in
gratitude pictured In the latter part
Of this parable (v. 1886. AS twelve
of dollars is to seventeen,
such is the possible and almost in
credible hardness Of the natural heart
Of man. How few of US would dare
to stand upon our rights" In the
church or as individuals, did we but
often take stock of Gods deal
.ngs with us In his matchless grace.
Yet we see this scene being re-en-
about us almost daily. What
O solemn warning is contained in
verse 80, Ills Lord calling HIM" Full
many a poor debtor would miss being
called down." to use a slang express
If his creditor did but realize
he certainty OF his Lord calling him.
he who would have mercy must shew
merciful or else "pay all"
". 34). This hopeless expectancy of
paying the debt suggests the eter-
lity of our punishment, The applica-
ion OF the parable In verse So is
1ery plain, Unless many a protested
christian repents Of his attitude to-
wards some who have wronged them.
hey will have to u counter to their
Iord's wrath.
We may we'll be startled at such
eaching upon the part Of the meek
md lowlyp Jesus, but as teachers we
no right to. minimize his words.
so also is my Father" nor seek to
often or explain their ~vividness.
Who is sufficient for these things?
not the natural man. Except
God In Christ forgave" no more
ian we. The fair implication of
'aul's inspired words and the plain
eaching of other Scripture is that we
llso may forgive, for 1t is in him,
Christ Jesus, we meet and act with
sod (Phil. 4:13l.