The economic anarchy to which
the world drifts, even apart from a bankrupting war, becomes obvious. In 1850, Harpers Magazine points out, with a world population of
about 1,050,000,000, the total of all national debts
was only £250,000,000. By 1890, when the
world held nearly 1,500,000,000 people, the debts had mounted to
£5,500,000,000. And now, with about
1,800,000,000 people, the debt is perhaps four or five times larger than it was
even in 1890. And the economic chaos, become universal, will produce Antichrist. What is it that
gave
The appalling financial crisis coming is seen in the
expenditure of countries not in the War.
A bill is being introduced in the United States (Times, Jan. 5, 1940) authorizing the construction of 95 warships
and 3,000 naval aeroplanes at a cost of £325,000,000; while the estimated
expenditure of the national Budget for 1940 is £2,106,000,000, with a total
public debt of £10,989,755,324.
* *
*
Sir George Paish, an authority on City finance [before
the outbreak of the Second World War] and speaking of the finance of the world, said:- We face not a wreck of a nation, but the
wreck of the world.
* *
*
Debt is so degrading that if I
owed a man a penny, I would walk twenty miles in the depth of winter, to pay
him, sooner than I feel that I was under obligation. Poverty is hard, but debt is horrible. We may be poor but yet respectable, but a man
in debt cannot even respect himself.
Some people seem to even like to owe money; but I would as soon be a cat
up a chimney with a fire alight, or a fox with the hounds at my heels. An honest man thinks a purse full of other
peoples money to be worse than an empty one.
He cannot bear to eat other peoples cheese, wear other peoples shirts,
and walk about in other peoples shoes.
Some people who have a dollar
coming will spend five on the strength of it, which does not belong to
them. Such a person is both unwise and
dishonest. Cut
your coat according to your cloth is sound advice; but cutting other
peoples cloth by running into debt is as like thieving as four pence is to a groat. Debtors can
hardly help being liars, for they promise to pay when they know that they
cannot, and when they have made up a lot of false excuses they promise again,
and they lie as fast as a horse can trot.
- C. H.
SPURGEON.
* *
*
KEEPING OUT OF DEBT
By PERCY W.
HEWARD
Has
the Holy Spirit anything to say in Scripture concerning debts? Undoubtedly and, if we are Gods children,
shall we not have ears to hear?
Temperament and circumstances of early upbringing affect many very
deeply as to this subject there are lands where almost everyone is in
debt. But though believers should be
patient and tender to those who have not received so many privileges as
themselves, we are not to make our temperament, or theirs, authoritative. Love to the Lord, and reverence for His
words, must ever be first.
The word debt means more than a duty,
it implies an overdue duty, or one which cannot be fulfilled at once. If you send me certain goods with an account,
I am not in debt if I have wherewith to pay, and gladly remit at your
request. The money is yours at my house.
But if I have only half the needed money, and keep you waiting a week, I am in
debt before God.
We are conscious of one continual debt. The very passage which forbids material debts
humblingly implies this: Owe no man anything, but to love one another (
Debts have always existed, and apparently will
remain. The rules for
But
is a believer warranted, in the light of Romans 13, in allowing a
debt to-day? The fact that God deigned
to bless the widow in 2
Kings 4: 1-7 affords no approval. Moreover, the advantage of a temporary loan
is no reason for it unless we can find the authority of the Lord.
Surely
we feel that the prohibition of debt
already seen is definite, and that to seek to get round it is to oppose the
will of the Lord. If only children
of God would take this standpoint, and in faith render unto Him freely (Mal. 3: 16), they would surely find His supply of needs. Debts
may be expected if we do not give readily unto Him. The believer who unwisely says, I cannot afford a tenth - less than
*
A word in this connection as to the ever
extending principle of the hire system may be
permitted. A believer may be technically
out of debt in obtaining furniture thus, but he will often find a heartache and
uncertainty, if simply wishing to please the Lord.
I
need hardly say that loving sympathy should be felt for those who are saved
when in debt, and prayerful interest does not hastily judge such. But faith will bring such a victory, and
godly care will be rewarded. If,
however, a believer saved in debt is careless, and spends indulgently, he
cannot expect the Lords encouragement.
Moreover,
there may be cases where a child of God in business, or through sickness, is
suddenly confronted with peculiar problems.
Arm-chair criticism is not a mark of godliness. It may be our loving Heavenly Father has some
lessons to teach such - ah, more than may be
- but are there not with us, even with us, sins against Him (2 Chron.
28: 10), and do not we also need
His gracious humbling - for it is in love?
Granted that the words of James 2: 15 refer to
complete destitution, and that the tried believer on his part should feel
called to sell goods rather than expectingly ask others (or decide
what they ought to do), it is the privilege of each to ponder the Holy Spirits
words, Bear ye
one anothers burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ (Gal. 6: 2).
Need it be said that collective
debt is quite unscriptural. An assembly should never think of such a
course. How often it has been brought
about through un-appointed buildings and display. Undoubtedly many will help men willingly as to
such steps, but this does not make any action the will of the Lord. That is the fundamental question, and His
redeemed people need have no hesitation as to the answer. His will, and not expediency, is the pattern which has been graciously shown them.
And
thus we plead with those who desire to provide things honourable (not only in the sight of the Lord, but also
in the sight of men), and to take Him at His Word, and to trust Him
to enable expenditure within income. And
if trials come, they are not by chance.
Our heavenly Father is willing to teach, and willing to step in, as for
Abraham in Genesis 22., though it may be at the last moment. His people should be bowed before Him, for
all pride, and feverish excitement will hinder hearing His voice. In nothing be anxious. He is worthy of faith, and let the principle
of loves prompt obedience suggested and urged by Proverbs 6: 3 be seen in the life of any to whom this message comes
when in debt.
- The
Student of Scripture.
*
* *
LORD, HELP ME
By J. ASHWORTH.
Many
of the inhabitants of
Well, then, before I was fully devoted to the ministry I was
in business, and as most business men do, I worked a little on credit. When I gave up business and settled as a
preacher and pastor of a congregation, I was owing
several sums of money; but much more was owing to me, so I felt no fear of
being unable to pay my creditors. One of
these creditors to whom I owed twenty pounds, called upon me for the
payment. I said to him, I will see what I
can do for you next Monday. He called on the Monday, but I had not got
the money. He was rather cross with me,
saying I
had no business to promise except I intended to perform. This observation
touched my pride, and I told him that I would pay him on the coming
Monday. He went away in a rage, saying he hoped I would.
I set out on the following day to see some of my debtors,
not fearing but I could raise the twenty pounds, but I did not get one
farthing. I tried others, but with the
same success. I then put down on a sheet
of paper the names of several of my friends, certain that I could borrow twenty
pounds from any one of them. But, to my
utter amazement, I was mistaken. All of
them could sympathize with me a deal better than lend me anything. The next day I made out another list of those
not so well able to help me as the former, for I thought if I could get five
pounds there, I would be able to raise it all.
I travelled many miles on my errand, spending a whole day, but returning
in the evening without one penny.
Saturday morning came, and I arose from a sleepless
bed. I ate very little breakfast, and
when at prayer I was so overcome with my feelings, that my wife asked me if I
was poorly, or in trouble. Yes, I
replied, I am in trouble enough and I then told her all about the cause of my
sorrow. She was silent for a few minutes,
and then said, You have often talked and preached about the power of
faith. I think you will now need some
yourself.
Having said this she arose from her chair, and went rattling among her
pots and kettles. She was evidently
mortified because I had been refused the money by those she had considered our
friends.
On Saturday I was in a state of torpor until evening. I then, with a heavy heart, went upstairs
into a little room I called my study; for I had three times to preach on the
Sunday and no text; twenty pounds to pay on the Monday, and no money. What was I to do? For a long time I sat with my face buried in
my hands, and then I fell on my knees, and I believe I said, Lord, help me, a hundred times, for I
could say nothing but Lord, help me,
Lord, help me. While praying I felt
an impression that these words might serve me for one text; and as Sunday came
before Monday, I began Sunday work; but no other text could I think of but Lord, help me.
While preaching on the Sunday morning, I had so many
thoughts and illustrations arising out of the subject that I felt great liberty
in preaching. One of my illustrations
was about a man I knew well, who was a deacon of a church, and had been an
executor for two orphan children. He was
tempted to make use of the money, and much of it was lost. This so preyed upon his mind that he lost his
peace of mind, and he died with the reputation of a rogue.
Now, I said, had this man, the executor, when he first thought
of taking the childrens money, resisted the temptation by calling on God to
help him - help him to be honest, help him to do nothing but what a professing
Christian ought to do - instead of losing the money, his good name, his peace
of mind, and, perhaps his life, God would have heard his prayer, and saved him.
Noon came; but my sermon was not half done. I preached from the same text again in the
afternoon, and again in the evening; and I felt that I could have preached from
it a week.
After finishing the nights service, when I got to the
bottom of the pulpit stairs, a young man stood there who asked to see me in
private. I took him into the vestry, and
requested his errand, expecting it would be about his soul. For several minutes we were both silent, but
at length he said, You knew my mother, Mr. Gradsby.
I looked in his face, saying, Surely I did; but I did not know you at first.
Well, sir, when she died she left me some money - in fact,
all she had, except two small sums she wished me to give, one sum, of five
pounds, to a poor old woman of her acquaintance; and speaking of you she said,
Our minister needs help, and I wish you to give him twenty pounds. I paid the
five pounds to the old woman; but, thinking no one knew, I resolved never to
give you the twenty. But while you were
talking about the roguish executor this morning, I felt thunderstruck, and I
have brought you the twenty pounds. Here
it is; do take it, and do forgive me.
It was now my turn to be thunderstruck. While the young man was putting the
sovereigns into my hand, I trembled all over.
God had heard my prayer; He had helped me through Sunday, and sent me
the twenty pounds for Monday. It was
mine and I took it. I shook the young
mans hand, and, without putting the money into my pocket, I went quickly home,
spread it out on the table before my wife, saying, Here it is! I now see how it was that I could not borrow
the money. God knew where it was, and He
sent me the twenty pounds, and delivered me out of my trouble. He had heard my prayer, and helped me, and I
will trust Him and praise Him as long as I live! Oh! my dear friends,
when that little prayer, Lord, help me, comes from the heart of one of Gods
children in distress, neither men, nor devils, nor angels can tell its
power. It has brought me thousands of
blessings, besides the twenty pounds.
- The Gospel Herald.
* *
*
A LONG LIST OF DEBTS
The
Tsar Nicholas was accustomed to visit
his camps at night, clothed as an ordinary officer, that he might know, what
was going on. Late one night he made his
tour of inspection. Seeing a light
shining under the paymasters door, he entered it; and he saw a young officer,
the son of an old friend of the Tsar, asleep.
The Tsar stepped over to awaken him, when he noticed a loaded revolver,
a small pile of money, and a sheet of paper with a pen that had fallen from the
hand of the sleeping man.
On
the sheet of paper was a long list of debts, gambling and other evil
debts. The total ran into many thousands
of roubles: the officer had used army funds to pay these wicked, reckless
debts, and now, having worked till late into the night trying to get his accounts
straight, had discovered for the first time how much he owed. It was hopeless. On the sheet of paper, below the terrible
total, was written:- Who can
pay so great a debt? Unable to
face the disgrace, the officer had intended shooting himself, but completely
worn out with sorrow and remorse, he had fallen asleep.
The
Tsars first thought was to have the man arrested and then court-martialled;
but as he remembered his love for the young officers father, mercy triumphed
over judgment, and, picking up the pen, he answered the question with one word:
- NICHOLAS.
Soon
after the Tsar had left, the young officer woke, and took up the revolver to
blow out his brains; when his bewildered eye was suddenly caught by the
signature. Surely it was impossible! He had some papers in his possession which
bore the genuine signature of the Tsar, and quickly he compared the names; and
to his intense joy, yet bitter humiliation, he realized that his Tsar knew all
about his sins, knew the utmost of his mighty debt, and yet instead of
inflicting the penalty he deserved, had assumed the debt himself, and justified
the debtor. Joyfully he lay down to
rest, and early the next morning bags of money arrived from the Tsar sufficient
to pay the last penny of so great a debt.
BY HIM EVERYONE THAT BELIEVETH IS JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS FROM WHICH YE
COULD NOT BE JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW (Acts
13: 39).
*
* *
FORGIVE US OUR
DEBTS
Having
asked for food, the disciple of Christ now sues for pardon. In the words of Thomas Manton, the Puritan, we have done
with the supplications of the Prayer, and are come to the deprecations. That is to say, we pass from petitions for
the obtaining of good things at the hands of God, and bring forward those which
are concerned with the removing of evil from ourselves.
As
the disciple offers this petition day by day, it is
clear that the words contemplate, not an unregenerate rebel seeking Divine
acceptance, but rather a trustful worshipper desirous of continual
cleansing. Though in times gone by the petitioner
may have walked in the ways of sin, now it is his privilege to be in the school
of a Teacher who leads in the path of holiness, and in that school he would be without offence. Hence the
petition, for himself and others in like
circumstances, Forgive
us our debts.
The words, certainly the sentiments, were quite
familiar.
Thus
we are led, at the outset, to understand the petition as a constructive
confession of faults which, if un-forgiven, expose the offender to the penalty
of the Divine law. These ideas were
familiar to the Jewish mind; and the Septuagint
Version of the Old Testament had adopted the Greek word
(forgive)
as expressing the doctrine of forgiveness of sin and remission of the penalty
incurred by a breach of law (see Gen. 1. 17; Ex.
32: 32; Lev. 4: 20; 5: 10, 13; Ps. 25: 18; Isa. 22:
14; 55: 7).
In
the petition under consideration, with this same Greek word for forgive, we find a doctrine which may be expressed in three
points: (1) that, though disciples of Christ, we are sinners, debtors to God; (2) that God is
gracious, and willing to pardon our offences; and (3) that though, when coming
to Christ as our Saviour, we may receive remission of sins that are past, yet
there is need for daily cleansing - hence our continual prayer for pardon. In the words of a Puritan worthy:-
We daily renew our sins by omission and commission; and
though the foundation of our pardon be laid in our
regeneration, yet, that it may be actual and full for following sins, we must
have renewed repentance, faith, and prayer.*
* Richard Baxter, THE
CATECHISING OF FAMILIES, chap. xxix. See PP. 33, 36, 37, ante.
Thus
we see that, in words at once few and explicit, the entire body of Christian
teaching as to sin and forgiveness is compressed in the petition before
us. Who shall suggest that the
implication is not adequate? Forgive us - need we specify the offences,
tell the tale of our deficiencies? If it
is true, as the Jewish doctors held, that he that
transgresses, though in secret, thrusts God away from him, so also is
the converse true, that he that seeks pardon for his offences, with the desire to live a life of
righteousness, draws God nigh unto him.
And, assuredly, in this petition, pardon is asked in terms which are as
comprehensive as human need can possibly demand. How different is this from the teaching of a
Judaism, which rejects Christ! In the
Synagogue service of the Day of Atonement, as we have seen, a thousand words or
more are required wherein to specify sinfulness and to seek remission. In fact, there is a piling up of words in the
admission of what is already known to an all-seeing God and, moreover, this is
done in the very spirit of the vain repetitions
which our Lord reproved.
Contrast with this the teaching of the Prayer. When confessing sin to an earthly parent, the
penitent may say, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight (Luke 15: 21);
but when asking pardon from the all-holy and omniscient God, direct confession
is not required - hence it is not even suggested by the Master. Confession in the heart is necessary: words
with the lips may be dispensed with.
Thus in the petition, Forgive us our sins, guilt is manifestly implied, though its measure is left with Him who
will abundantly
pardon. In one brief sentence, in one comprehensive imperative,
our Lord provides us with confession (understood) and petition (expressed).
As we Forgive.
The
extension, as we
forgive them that trespass against us, has been somewhat misunderstood; in fact, by some the words have been so
interpreted as to challenge the relation of the Prayer to the Dispensation of
Grace! In other words, there has been
found in the petition a pleading with God on the ground of personal merit; and by consequence it has been
suggested that the disciples were, in these words, encouraged to expect Divine
forgiveness BECAUSE, on their part,
they had exercised clemency toward those who had done them injury! Hence a comment which takes the form, This is legal ground.
This
view invests the words with a meaning which the Master cannot have intended,
and, further, it evinces an extraordinary confusion of the principles of Law
and Grace. Is it really disputed that
Christ came to reveal the Father? and is it really
held that He came to do work in the household of Moses? (see
John 1: 17).
Impossible! Our Lord gave no instruction on legal
ground. From first to last, on
the contrary, He occupied GOSPEL ground, being engaged in work which had for its
object the enlargement of the Jewish people into a truer and deeper liberty, in
order to a more full and complete communion with God. As to the words which have been particularly misconstrued,
they are not, in reality, of
doubtful significance. Far from
suggesting a reason for forgiveness, they view that blessing in the light
of similarity. The sense is not because,
on the ground of, or for the reason that but
rather it is even as, as also, like as.* In the words of
*
See illustrative occurrences : Matt. 18: 33, 20:
14; Acts 11: 17, 22: 5, 25: 10; Rom. 9: 25; 1 Cor. 7:
7; 9: 5; 16: 10; Eph. 2: 3; 5: 23; 2 Tim. 3: 9; Heb. 13: 3; 1 Pet. 3: 7; 2 Pet. 2: 1; 3: 16; Rev. 18: 6.
**
Hence,
addressing the Heavenly Father, the disciples say, in effect: In the matter of our daily sins, do Thou as we are in the
habit of doing with those who offend against us - GRANT US FORGIVENESS. And we shall see that in this
petition they were instructed in reference to a practice that was well
understood in Jewish life at the time.
The Lords Release.
It is important to bear in mind that the spirit of
forgiveness was provided for under the Old Covenant. We read, If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be
thirsty, give him water to drink (Prov. 25: 21; cf.
24: 17). Here we have a doctrine of forgiveness, broad-based
on the Divine example of long-suffering and pardon (Ex. 34: 6, 7; Num. 14:
18-20). Though there might be laxity on the point in
daily experience, yet the ideal was written plain in the sacred literature of
There
is, however, more to say on this matter.
Not only had the children of
Every
creditor shall release that which he hath lent unto his neighbour; he shall not
exact it of his neighbour and his brother: because the Lords release hath been
proclaimed (v.
2; cf. chap. 31: 10). This ordinance of the Sabbatical year
occupied an important place in a system whereby abject poverty was prevented,
and a spirit of brotherhood fostered in the Israelite community.
Thus
from time to time, as of duty and not of merit, the pious Jew forgave those
that were indebted to him: on the one hand, he set free his servant after six
years of work (Ex.
21: 2; cf. Jer. 34: 13 ff.); and, on the other hand, he wrote off the obligations of those who owed him anything. And even though the year of release might be at hand, the man who had means was compelled to help his poor
brother with a loan, though it was morally certain that he would not receive
anything in return. By obeying the law
in this respect, he was lending unto the Lord, and on account thereof he would receive blessing from heaven (vv. 9, 10; cf. Prov. 19: 17). Hence when a
Jew spoke of forgiving the trespasses of others, as the early disciples were
led to do in the words of the Lords Prayer, he was simply alluding to a
beneficent practice, ordained by statute in the Theocratic Government: there
was, assuredly, no thought of merit, no complacent boasting of deeds of mercy
or virtue.*
*
It is noteworthy that, in Matt. 6: 12, the
R.V. adopts a reading which it renders as we also HAVE FORGIVEN - an appeal to a
past experience; while in Luke 11: 3 it
reads for we also FORGIVE
- an appeal to a national or habitual practice.
In
this light we see the practical force of the clause. While the sense is not because we forgive, so neither
was it in the measure that we
forgive. Rather, it was EVEN AS we forgive, i.e. IN LIKE MANNER. And how was
that? By cleaning
the slate, by wiping off once and for all, and
never to be recalled, the tale of indebtedness, whether of service in the case
of slaves, or of money in the case of debtors.
Forgive
us, even as we have forgiven - i.e. to remember no more, to pass by in
such a manner that the account can never again be presented for payment! Said the Jew, in effect, as
he used these words of Christ: We forgive our debtors
under a law from which we cannot escape; and the forgiveness brings peace and
liberty to those that are forgiven. Even so, our Heavenly Father, forgive Thou us
- straightaway and for ever, to the end that we may walk before Thee in peace
and liberty, as children of the Most High, released from spiritual bondage by a
forgiveness which ensures that we shall never be called into judgment.
We
leave this subject for more detailed treatment in an Appendix: merely remarking
that the institution in question exercised a great moral influence in
The Prayer of the Child of God
As
we have seen, this petition is for the child of God: it only befits such as can
say Our Father. The words
are not for one who is AGAINST THE SON,
but rather for one who is ON His PART. They are for those who have experienced
acceptance with God, and now seek a continued evidence of the Divine
favour. And the fact that God is faithful and just to forgive His people, is sufficient proof that His people stand
in need of forgiveness (see 1 John 1: 9). In the words of Dean Vaughan:-
The one sweeping forgiveness may lie far in the past - yet is there day by day a forgiveness needed, and a forgiveness
vouchsafed. He that hath bathed himself
all over, once for all, in the
*
THE LORDS PRAYER (1875), pp. 14i, 142.
A
clear judgment on this point, will
not only save us from misunderstanding the petition, but also from entertaining
low and unworthy views of the Prayer as a whole. Another well-known expositor says:-
Here we have the entreaty of one already saved, that the
daily transgressions of his still imperfect condition, and the many
shortcomings of his service to the Lord Jesus, may be graciously pardoned. And the Prayer should check anything like
presumption or spiritual pride, reminding us, as it does, how continually we
need the cleansing blood to wash away the stains of our repeated trespasses.*
*
G. H. Pember,
THE GREAT PROPHECIES OF THE CENTURIES
CONCERNING THE CHURCH, pp. 171, 172.
William Kellys explanation
is to the same effect: The forgiveness of a child is all
that is spoken of here, the removal of what hinders communion. ... It is
therefore the habitual need of the soul, just as the daily bread was that of
the body. EXPOSITION
OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE, pp. 183, 184.
In
terms which seem to belong to a past time, but are nevertheless of the essence
of New Testament teaching, we may describe the petition, and, indeed, the
Prayer as a whole, as for such as are justified in Christ Jesus. Accordingly,
the forgiveness
of which we now read, and the deliverance from evil,
which will be considered in a later
chapter, both contribute to the SANCTIFICATION
of the believer; and it is, of course, fitting that those who are being so prepared unto glory should forgive them that trespass against them, and
confess the same in the words ordained by Christ.
It
is related of a Christian pastor of large experience that he found a member of
his flock labouring under great distress of mind, and unable to obtain that
peace which she sought by prayer. This
clause of the Lords Prayer supplied a conclusive test; the lady was, in fact,
unwilling to complete the petition as we forgive, etc. Until
these words express our personal experience, we cannot offer the Prayer with
assured acceptance.
The Practical Issue
A
sound interpretation must not ignore the immediate circumstances of the men
into whose mouth the petition was first put.
Beyond question they were men who were called upon to suffer obloquy and
shame for the name of their Master. They
knew what it was to go as lambs into the midst of wolves and to encounter
peculiar trials as the followers of a Rabbi who was despised by the leaders of
the people. Their friends and brethren
disowned them, and those of their own household assumed the attitude of
foes (Matt.
10: 34-36). It was in aggravated circumstances such as
these that the disciples learned to forgive their debtors, and in the light of truly terrible experiences that they came to
realise the depth of Gods forbearance and pardoning mercy (cf. Matt. 5: 44, 45; Luke 6: 31-35).
It
was to these men that the Lord spoke when He said: Whensoever ye stand praying,
forgive, if ye have aught against any one, that your
Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. If ye do not forgive, neither will your
Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. And again, it
was in the hearing of these men that He said: judge not, and ye shall not be judged; and
condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned; release, and
ye shall be released (Mark 11: 25, 26; Luke 6: 37). These counsels lie at the base of the spirit
of forgiveness; and they intimate very plainly the condition of the enjoyment
of Divine favour, even as they indicate
the frame of mind which will incur the Divine displeasure.
The man who refuses forgiveness to his
fellow cannot expect forgiveness from God. In the first place, there is
in his heart a disposition of enmity which effectually stands in the way of his
prayer being accepted. In the second
place, it would appear that, in his own mind, he has
denounced judgment upon his fellow, whom, in such a manner as it is in his
power, he retains under the bondage of un-forgiven guilt. Such a man is not in a position to receive
any blessing from God; and for him to ask daily for pardon is simply an act of
ignorance or impiety. Let him first be reconciled to his
brother: the merciful shall obtain mercy
(Matt. 5: 7, 24).
Accordingly,
if we would offer this petition aright, and continue to enjoy the forgiveness
of which it speaks, we must, for ourselves, seek a forgiving spirit, and maintain the same with vigilance. It was in answer to a question put by Peter,
as to how often an offending brother should be pardoned, that our Lord spoke
the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, concluding with the counsel that we are
to forgive every
one his brother from our hearts (Matt. 18:
21-25; Luke 17: 3, 4). We are to forgive, not to judge. If, by the exercise of an unforgiving spirit,
we judge our fellows, in like manner we shall ourselves be judged.
The Believers Quit-Rent.
Is it not of deep significance that this clause of the
Prayer is the only one which our Lord proceeds to expand and enforce? And the added words are very explicit: If ye forgive men their
trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. If ye forgive not men their trespasses,
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matt. 6: 14, 15). As the law of the Lords Release,
in Deut. 15., did not ignore the hard-hearted man with a thought of Belial (or base thought) in his heart (verse 9), so neither did our Lord overlook the
possibility of some follower of His thinking that he could ask for a release
which, on his own part, he was unwilling to grant. It thus appears that at the point of personal
duty the test is decisive - a duty which, it has been said with truth, is at
once the hardest to the natural man, and the most
characteristic of the mind of Christ Jesus.*
* Bishop Alfred Barry in THE TEACHERS PRAYER-B00K, P. 42.
In
the words of Martin Luther, this
clause is a TOKEN designed to remind
us of the ground or condition of continued blessing; and, moreover, when spoken
from the heart it may be regarded as a SEAL
affixed by God to the absolution which is desired.* Further, in
the quaint words of Anthony Farindon, it is the believers QUIT-RENT - as he says: Your quit-rent,
your acknowledgment of Gods great mercy, is your mercy to others. Pay it down; or you have made a forfeiture of
all. **
*
Luthers PRIMARY WORKS: The Lords
Prayer, fifth petition.
** Anthony Farindon,
sermon on The Love of Mercy, No. IX. in vol. COMPLFTE WORKS (ed.
In many things we offend all. As children of
God, however, we may daily pray, Forgive us our debts; and when we stand praying, we must not neglect to forgive - not
refuse to do as we desire to be done by.
In order to a right mind on the entire matter, we do well to give heed
to the words of the Apostle when he said, Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving each
other, even as God also in Christ forgave you (Eph.
4: 32). And this, assuredly, is not legal ground, but
the ground of grace; and therein we see how the justified sinner may bring
forth fruit unto holiness, and in the process of sanctification realise the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Hence
in all circumstances we may say:
OUR FATHER ... FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE
ALSO FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS.
- From:
THE LORDS PRAYER: AN INTERPRETATION
CRITICAL AND EXPOSITORY By JAMES W.
THIRTLE, LL.D., D.D. pp. 132-144.
-------
DEBT TO OTHER TRADITIONS
Our spirits should be emptied of all petty sectarianism because of our recognition of the debt we
owe to other traditions than our own.
I began church membership among rigid Scottish Presbyterians. As a student I attended a Baptist
church. While at
-------
Keep
in mind:-
He who is now ruled
by Christ will one day rule with Christ.
THE END