The Green Forest tribune., 1912-12-13
INTERNATIONAL . SUNDAYSQlOOL.
 LESSON
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 15
FORGIVENESS. S.
By E. o. SELLERS, Director of Eve ming Department The Moody Bible h. stitute of Chicago.)
LESSON TExT-Matthew 18:15-85.

another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you. u.'-Eph. 4:32 R. V.
 Our Lords teaching on the subject of humility as studied in last weeks B lesson is inseparably connected with that of today. It presents strong contrast between human and divine forgiveness. It 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 forgiying heart or else he does not truly care to save lost and wandering sheep, w. 12 and 13.
 This lesson naturally divides itself into precept w. 15-22 and parable w. 23-35.
 Preeept Is Plain.
 i. 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 quarrels will settle themselves if men will only see eye to eye" It 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. It is the prerog- ative of the church to bind and to loose and to have agreement in pray CT. 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 19 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- crite, thereby spelling that harmony (Acts 2:1) that is so 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 it by seven; not that 490 is the exact number of times to exercise forgiveness though that II., h limitable number of times. Resent ment, wrath, anger, glamour and evil speaking are admonished to put away (Eph. 4:31), and in the words of the Golden Text, Be kind tender hearted forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven us" 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 (v. 23-3) in which he applies the precept just given.
 God Is 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 $12,000,000 Ca talent of gold equals roughly about s1,200,000) he is hopelessly in debt and had not to pay" This is 9 >icture of fallen, lost humanity standS lg in the presence of righteous God (Luke 7:42, Ps. 103: 3, etc. This man is brought into the Kings presence, and so are we brought John 16:7.9 and Rom IA: 10). The terrible ought and ought not of the law is practically presented in Matthew 25. The debt of our sins is 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 (read Gal. 3;10). But what a gracious contrast is pre- sented in verse 26. 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,
  vation is "by grace" (Eph. 2:S, 9, and by grace only. From verse 27 on we see the Lord immediately dealing with this servant in grace. There is no future penalty held over his head. So 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 tthe awful sin of in- gratitude pictured in the latter part of this parable (v. 28-35). 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. What a solemn warning is contained in verse 32.