The Omaha guide., 1946-05-11
LEARNING TO LIVE TOGETHER

LESSON TExT-Matthew 18:1517: 81
z. MARK l0:35-45.
GOLDEN TEXT-By this shall al
meE know that We are my disciples. 1
We have owe one to another.-John lS:s5
One world Men have discovered
III recent years that we do live IL
me world and that we must learn
now to get along with n another,
or we may find that we have de
stroyed civilization and n announcer
God has always taught in his wore
that all men are of n origin. and
that despite their differences, they
r to live in unity and peace. That
| would have been blessedly true u
men had obeyed God and his law
Sin brought division and confusion.
Now in our day. when we should
be far on the way to the attain
ment Of Gods purpose, we find mel
more inclined than ever to be sus-
picious Of one another, grasplng
in their desires and purposes, and
evil in many Of their ways.
We have not yet learned to live
together as nations. Let US set our
selves to the task Of living together.
l.. A Method for Dealing with Diff
ferences Matt. Is: 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 resentments. 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 fur
Their ado or fuss in the church. I
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, OF their prayers
may win him. And if it does not
! work, the things said and done will
we been I'd by brethren
who can l~althfully report IAN 20
the church.
The final step is to bring the err
ing brother before the church. Now
he may see the seriousness Of his
offense and repent If not, there is
mi plain duty; he is to be put out
side Of the fellowship Of the church.
Does that neal that he is aban'
doned and forgotten? Certainly not!
He is to be ''as a heather man
and a 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). d
Peters question was a practical
one. He supposed the case of one
who sinned repeatedly against one
who had shown a forgiving spirit
Most Of us need not suppose such
cases; we have them before us.
We forgive and are ready to lei
it all be forgotten, when 10, the Of
tender turns up with an even
greater wrong, indignity or SIM
Then there is weeping and appar4
ent repentance, followed almost at
once by another ~offense.
How long is this business to GO
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 a measuring
fine or an account book. 1t must be
from the hearth without limit and
4 ithout restraint.
HI. A Means for Attaining Great
ness mark 0:35-45).
To want to be truly great for God
is certainly not a sin. In a world
which was rejecting Christ and get
ting ready to cruelty him, this moth
er wanted her two boys to have Il
place of honor in the service of
Christ. So far, so good; but then
tame the thing which spoiled it all
-selfshness.
To seek honor for oneself. or for
hose one loves in order that the
ego might be inflated and self given
A 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. 1t is by way Of
Sacrificia, service, the denial Of self.
This world and its kingdoms say
that the one who serves is inferior
10 the one who is served. In the
kingdom of Jesus it is the one who
serves who is greatest.
Where will such a path lead? For
Christ it led to the cross, and be-
gond it the victory of resurrection
day. 1t may mean death for US, for;
q real willingness to serve connoteJI
a willingness to give all, even life,
itself, for his glory.
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