The midland journal., 1946-05-10
LEARNING TO LIVE TOGETHER

LESSON TEXT-Matthew 1s:15-17: 81. %;
| Mark 10:35.45
GOLDEN TEXT-By this shall all men
| know that ye are my disciples. II ye have
love one to another.-John 1888.
One world! Men have discovered
in recent years that we do live in
one world and that we must learn
how to get along with one another,
or we may find that we have de-
stroyed civilization and one another.
God has always taught in his Word
that all men are of one origin, and
that despite their differences, they
are to live in unity and peace. That
would have been blessedly true if
men had obeyed God and his law.
Sin brought division and confusion.
Now in our day, when we should
be far OH the way to the attain
ment of Gods purpose, we find men
more inclined than ever to be sus-
picious of one another, grasping
in their desires and purposes, and
evil in many of their ways.
We have not yet learned to live
together sls nations. Let us set our
selves to The task of living together.
l. A Method for Dealing with Diff
ferences Matt. 18:15-1O.
This is the God-prescribed meth
cd for dealing with personal prob
lens in the Christian church. That
body in which love should reign is
often rent by jealousies and person
al resentBnents. If permitted to run
on unchecked, they create division
and even strife before the world,
with all The disgrace it brings on
the cause of Christ.
Such matters are to be dealt with
promptly. The aggrieved one is
not to wait for the sinner to make
the approach, but is to 60 to him
and place before him the evidence
of his guilt. Done in kindness and
with tact, this is frequently all that
needs to be done. A man may thus
win his brother, with no further ado
or fuss in the church.
If he proves stubborn, the next
step is to bring some brethren along
and talk it over again. This evil
dence of their concern may break
the stubbornness, or their prayers
may win him. And if it does not
work, the things said and done will
have been witnessed by brethren
who can faithfully report them to
the church.
The final step is to bring the err
ing brother before the church. Now
he may see the seriousness of his
offense ard repent. If not, there is
one plain duty; he is to be put out
side of the fellowship of the church.
Does that mean that he is aban-
doned and forgotten? Certainly not.
He is to be "as a heather man
and publican" Does the church
have any interest in such indi-
viduals? Indeed it does, for the pri-
mary business of the church is to
win both heather and publican to
fellowship with Christ.
III. A Measure for Determining
Forgiveness (Matt. 1921, 22).
Peters question was a practical
one. He supposed the case of one
who sinned repeatedly against one
who had shown forgiving spirit.
Most Of us need not suppose such
cases; we have them before us.
We forgive and are ready to let
1t all be forgotten, when 10, the Of
fender turns up with an even
greater wrong, indignity or sinl
Then there is weeping and appar-
ent repentance, followed almost at
once by another offense.
How long is this business to 60
on? The Jews said, "Three times,
then let judgment fall" Peter,
being a follower of Christ, went
much farther. He would forgive sew
en- times. Well, that's a lot of for
giveness; let us recognize that. Most
of us haven't even gone as far as
the Jews, and Peter is way ahead
of us.
But it is not enough! Forgiveness
which has any limit set on it is not
forgiveness at all. The very genius
of forgiveness demands that we do
not stand there with measuring
line or an account book. 1t must be
from the heart, without limit and
without restraint.
iii. A Means for Attaining Great
ness MARK 10:35-45).
To want to be truly great for God
is certainly not sin. In a world
which was rejecting Christ and get
ting ready to cruelty him, this moth
er wanted her two boys to have a
place of honor in. the service of
Christ. So far, so good; but then
came the thing which spoiled it all
-selfishness.
To seek honor for oneself, or for
those one loves in order that the
ego might be inflated and self given
chance to show off, that is
definitely unchristian.
If then it is right to seek proper
greatness, how may it be done?
Verses 43-45 tell us. It is by way of
sacrifcial service, the denial of self.
This world and it's kingdoms say
that the one who serves is inferior
to the one who is served. In the