The Jasper news., 1912-12-12
INTERNATIONAL
SUNDNSCHOOL
LESSON
LESSON FOR DECEMBER IS
FORGIVENESS.
.By u. o. SELLERS, Director Of Eve
ming Department The Moody Bible In
stitute OF Chicago)


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. II 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, w. ~ and 13.
This lesson naturally divides itself
into precept w. 1922 and parable w.
1885.
Preeept is Plain.
1. Tho prccept is very plain and
quite logical. If you have been
wronged, go to him (your brother)
who wronged you and frankly come to
uu understanding. Go alone and have
1t out with him Most quarrols will
settle themselves if men will only seq
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
ic1l. The outcome is suggested in
verse IS, that to all the disciples, not
10 Peter alone, is given the power to
admit and to dismiss from the COM
munion of believers. II is the prerog-
ative of the church to bind and. to
s-,
or. 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 90 have been quoted
in thousands Of prayer meetings with
often only the slightest realization of
their full significance. Three is an
6ttainable number; more than that Is
less easily obtoinable. and has the
gddcd danger Of hurboring a hypo-
critic, thereby spelling that harmony
(Acts 2:1) that is so essential to the
presence Of tho 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 num-
Der seven, but Jesus completes that
and again multipies it by seven; not
that 400 is the exact number OF times
20 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" CEph. Add, and In the words
u the Golden Text, BE kind, tender
hearted. forgIving ono another, even
as God for Christs sake hath forgiven
Us" There is no deep work of grace
In the human heart until it is willing
TO let" these things bc 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 is King.
Cod. 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 s12,000,O0O Ia talent OF gold
| equals roughly about 81 0,00O) he is
/ hopelessly in debt and had not to
/ pay" This is a picture OF fallen, lost
humanity standing in the presence OF
q righteous God (Luke 7:42, Ps. 103:
| 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 %. The
debt of our sins is hopeless one for
any TO pay except a mighty Saviour
a. Peter 2:2D.
Let the law have its course is the
meaning Of verse 25 Tread Gal. 3:10).
But what a gracious contrast is pre-
sented in verse &c. There we see tho
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 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 wa
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 SC
soon as we acknowledge the absolute
imposslbility 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 w. 2S-35), As twelve
millions OF dollars is 10 seventeen
such is the possible and almost in
credible hardness Of the natural heart
OF man. How few Of us would dare
10 stand upOn cur rights" in the
church or as individuals did we but
more often take stock Of Gods deal
Tags with us in his matchless grace
Yet We see this scene being re-en.
acted about rs almost daily. What
q solemn warning is contained In
verse 32.