The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1912-12-14

forgiveness. 1t sets before us that
which at first seems to be unattain-
able. Someone has raised the query
whether or not forgiveness Is ever
possible where any trace of selfish
ness remains. He who has the shep
herds heart of humility has also a
forgiving heart or else he does not
truly care to save lost and wandering
sheep, Wv. IL and Is.
This lesson naturally divides itself
into precept Wv. 1922 and parable w
1886.
Precept IL Plain.
/. The precept ia very plain and
quite logical. II 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 quarrels will
settle themselves II men will only see
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.
er. 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
attainable number; more than that Is
less easily obtainable, and has the
added danger of harboring a hypo-
critic. thereby spelling that harmony
(Acts 2:D that is so essential to the
presence of the Holy Spirit.
Peter ". 2D suggests that there
is a point of possible limit for our
humility and forgiveness. True, he
goes much further than most Of US
60, even to that of the perfect mum.
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 IL
limitable number of times. Resent
ment, wrath, anger, Glamour and evil
speaking are admonished to put
away (Eph. 4:3D, and in the words
of the Golden Text, BE kind. tender
hearted, forgiving one another. even
as God for Christ's, sake hath forgiven
u.s." There is no deep work of grace
In the human heart until it 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 ". 23-35)
In which he applies the precept just
given.
God 10 King.
God, the King of Heaven, Is taxing
account with the sons of men, his
bond servants. At the outset one is
brought into his presence who owes
about $12,000.000 "a talent of gold
equals roughly about 81 200, O00); he is
hopelessly in debt and had not to
pay" This 10 a picture of fallen, lost
humanity standing in the presence of
righteous God duke 7:42, Ps. 1903:
81, etc. This man is brought into the
Kings presence. and so are we
brought John 1919 and Rom. IA:
100. The terrible ought and ought
not Of the law is practically
presented In Matthew Is. The
debt of our sins is hopeless one for
any to pay except a mighty Saviour
Il. Peter 2:2D.
Let the law have its course is the
meaning of verse rs Tread Gal. 3:1O).
But what a gracious contrast Is pre-
scented in verse rs. 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
from debt. Once men catch a
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 81 on we
see the Lord Immediately dealing with
this servant In grace. There is no
future penalty held over his head. 50
God stands ready to deal with US SO
soon as we acknowledge the absolute
impossibility 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 ". 2S-35). As twelve
millions 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
more often take stock of Gods deal.
ings with US in his matchless grace
Yet we see this scene being re-en.
acted about us almost daily Wha,
q solemn warning Is contained In
verse 80, His Lord calling him." Full
many a poor debtor would miss being
called down." to use a slang exrres.
sion, II his creditor did but realize
the certainty Of his Lord calling him.
He who would have mercy must shew
himself merciful or else pay ALL
". 34). This hopeless expectancy of
ever paying the debt suggests the eter-
nity of our punishment. The appIjca.