The Raymer enterprise., 1921-01-06
LESSON FOR JANUARY 9
JESUS TEACHES FORGIVENESS.

LESSON TExT-Matt. B:zl-w.
GOLDEN TExT-lf 70 forgive men
theF trespasses. your heavenly Father
Will also forgive you.-Matt 6:N
REFERENCE MATERlAL-Matt. s:i1-
y; Hl6-0: Luke It's. 4; Eph. Z: q. e:
Col. 3:l2-N
PRIMARY ToPIc-Forgivins One An
other.
JUNIOR ToPIc-Learnins to Forgive.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
-Forgiving and Forgiven.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
-Forgiveness: Its Meaning and Scope.
In this lesson we have divine In
structions as to our behavior In case
Of ill-treatment.
!. Peters Question ". 21).
This question, allow often shall my
brother sin against me and l forgive
him" probably was occasioned by the
Ill treatment which Peter was then re-
ceiving at the hands Of his fellow dis
ciples. Christ's confession Of Peter
brought him into the limellght. The
question of the disciples (lS:1) "Who
is the greatest In the kingdom Of heav-
enT shows that there was some jeal-
ousy of Peter among the disciples and
consequent contention among them.
From the Lords teaching as to the
efforts to bring about reconciliation In
case Of ofrenses between brother and
brother He knew that It would require
the exercise Of the spirit Of forgive
ness Peter disposed to be gracious In
quires "Till seven times7" showing his
readiness to forgive his brother not
three times, but twice three times and
little over.
u. jesus Answer ". 22).
The Lords answer was an astonish-
Ing revelation to Peter. He said mot
until seven times, but until seventy
times seven." This shows that our
willingness to forgive should be limit.
less.
~. The Two Creditors wv. 1856.
This parable Of the two creditors Il.
lustrates His principles Of forgiveness.
!. The gracious creditor wv. 23-2O.
The king In this parable represents
God, and the servant who Is greatly In
debt represents the slnner-any sin.
ner. every sinner, you and me. We
were hOpelessly in debt to God. Ten
thousand talents are equal to some
twelve millions Of dollars. To meet
this obligation would be an utter i'm.
possibility. This mans plea for time,
promising to pay all, much resembles
our vain imaginings that we can pay
our debt to God, that by our future
good works we can atone for our pas,
most griveous sins. By the justice OF
Gods law we were hopelessly con.
demned; by the grace Of God we were
freely pardoned.
2. The cruel creditor wv. 28-35),
This man who was forgiven SO much
found man who owed him small
sum-about fifteen or seventeen dol.
lars. He shut his ears to the mans
entreaty to be patient with him, flew
at bis throat and cruelty put him into
jail. The great mercy shown him did
not touch his heart, so he refused to
be merciful. Being set free from 90
great q debt as our sins against God,
we should make Gods act Of unlimited
forgiveness toward US the standard Of
unlimited forgiveness toward others
In dealing with others we should al.
ways keep these considerations before
us: ~ We ourselves need 1t and do
every day continue to need the for
giveness Of God. With all our imper.
fections and positive sins we need the
continued mercy Of God. When we
pray. "Forglve US our debts as we for.
give our Debtors" let US be sure that
we have put away all thought Of sin
held against others. To pray that
prayer otherwise Is an abomination
(2) That there Is day Of judgment
coming and at that day we shall be
treated as We treat others. No mercy
will be shown to those who have moi
shown mercy.
The heart. then, of this lesson Is that
Gods gracious act toward us should
| be the standard NJ our .cttono -
ward others, and that we must exer
else the same spirit Of forgiveness
toward our fellowmen II we would
continue to enjoy Gods forgiveness
The proof that We are Gods childrer
y that we manifest the spirit Of God
BE ye therefore perfect, even as youl
Father which Is In heaven Is perfect
(latt. 6:48).