The Raymer enterprise., 1912-12-12
INTERNATIONAL,
SUNl1ySQlO0L
LESSON '
LESSON FOR DECEMBER IS
FORGIVENESS.
By E. O.. SELLERS. Director Of Eve
ming Department The Moody Bible Inv
stitute OF Chicago)
,EssoN rExr-Matthew 1s:ls-s5.

dHOUlGTp lGtutI HGhilcos Aoa'hhs Ss>S-s.
other. even as God also In Christ forgavs
you."-Eph. 4:a2 R. v.
Our Lords teaching on the subject
OF humility as studied in last weeks
lesson is inseparably connected with
that of today. 1t presents a strong
contrast between human and divine
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 .
forgiving heart or else he does not
truly care to save lost and wandering
sheep, w. IL and.13.
This lesson naturally divides itself
into precept w. 1922 and parable w.
1885.
Preeept 10 Plain.
1. The precept is very plain and
quite logical. II you have been
wronged. go to him (your brotheD
who wronged you and frankly come to
an understanding. Go alone and have
1t 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 los-
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.
ative Of the church to bind and to
loose and 10 have agreement in pray
er. The church must erect standards
Of conduct, but in thus erecting stand.A
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 il
less easily obtainable, and has the
added danger Of harboring hypo-
critic, thereby spelling that harmony
(Acts 2:D that is so essential to the
presence Of the Holy Spirit.
Peter ". 21) suggests that there
Is a point Of possible limit for our
humility and forgiveness. True, he
goes much further than most Of US
90. even to that Of the perfect NUN.
ber seven, but Jesus completes that
and again multiplies 1t by seven; not
that 490 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, forglving 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 parable ". 23-35)
In which he applies the precept just
given.
God 10 King.
God, the King OF Heaven. is taking
account with the sons of men. his
bond servants. At the outset one is
brought into his presence who owes
about $l2,o00.00O Ia talent of gold
equals roughly about s1.2oo.0oo); he. a
hopelessly in debt and had not to
pay This is picture Of fallen, lost
humanity standing in the presence o.
righteous God luke 7:42. Ps. 1Os:
-. etc. This man Is brought into thsa
Kings presence, and so are we
brought John 1919 and Rom. IA:
10Y. The terrible ought and ought
not Of the law is practically
presented In Matthew rs. The
debt Of our sins Is hopeless one for
any to pay except mighty Saviour
VI. refer Z.2i).
Let the law have Its course is the
meaning Of verse 25 (read Gal. 3:1o).
But what a gracious contrast is pre-.
'ented In verse 2s. There we see the
compelling power Of the compassion
'f God. as shown In the person Of
Jesus Christ his Son. looslng 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.
vation is by grace" (Eph. 2:s, 81, and
BY grace only. From verse 81 on we
lee the Lord Immediately dealing with
mis- servant in grace. There Is no
future penalty held over his head. So
God stands ready to deal with US 80
loon as We acknowledge the absolute
.mpossibllity Of paying the debt and
:all upon him for mercy.
The hardness u the human heart
suggested by THE awful sin of in.
gratitude pictured In the latter part
81 this parable ". 2s.35). As twelve
Millions OF dollars is to seventeen
'uch is the possible and almost In.
:redible hardness Of the natural heart
u man. How few Of US would dare
70 stand upon our rights" In tho
:hurch or rs individuals. did wa mt