One of the most solemn warnings that the Lord Jesus gave to His disciples was that concerning an unforgiving spirit toward those who offend us.

He says that we should pray, "Forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors," and He explains as follows:"For if you forgive others when they offend you, your heavenly Father will forgive you too. But if you do not forgive others when they offend you, your heavenly Father will not forgive you for your offences" (Matt. 6:12,14,15).* *The quotations are from Goodspeed's Translation.*

Does not this warning explain many sorrows among Christians? Some have hard lives, and harsh treatment from their fellows, corresponding closely to their unkind and critical ways toward others. Have you not seen Christians limping through life, unhappy and disappointed, with few (if any) friends, instead of bubbling over with joy, and living in the sweet comfort of Christian love and fellowship? What is the reason? It is not far to seek. They have been unforgiving toward others. They are, under God's government, reaping the sad results of their own sowing. Our Lord says again:"Men will pay you back with the same measure you have used with them" (Matt. 7:2).

Perhaps you recall a grudge you hold against someone. You say, "He was wrong!" Yes, but the Lord says, "Forgive him." "But he was so mean." Yes; but forgive him "But he told a lie." That is the reason he needs forgiveness. The offences we are to forgive are real ones:imaginary wrongs need no forgiveness.

What is the basis of and necessity for this forgiving spirit required by the Master? It is the fact that the Christian has been freely forgiven an enormous debt that he could never pay. In Matt. 18 we have the full explanation in the case of the wicked servant. The king says, "You wicked slave! I cancelled all that debt of yours when you entreated me. Ought you not to have taken pity on your fellow-slave, as I did on you? So his master in his anger handed him over to the jailers, until he should pay all that he owed him. That is what My heavenly Father will do to you, if you do not each forgive your brothers from your hearts!"

Who can estimate our debt of sins against God? It is so great, and so freely forgiven, that we may well afford to remit all sins against ourselves. And this forgiveness must be from the heart. An outward forgiveness, while nourishing an inward grudge, will not do, for "God looketh at the heart."

REPENTANCE

Some reader may object at this point, and say:"Scripture requires repentance in the offender." Yes, but that is his responsibility, and should not be confused with your duty of keeping your heart free from bitterness or ill-will. Our Lord says:"If your brother wrong you, take it up with him, and if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times a day, and seven times turns to you and says, I am sorry, you must forgive him" (Luke 17:3). In other words, you cannot judge your brother's heart, or measure his repentance; if he says, "I am sorry," you must forgive him.

What a world of sorrow simple obedience to this command would have saved! Forgiveness is withheld for years, and lives are embittered thereby. Scripture requires us to forgive on the very first expression of regret, or acknowledgment of wrong. It is the Lord's business to search the heart, to measure the depth of repentance, and to deal with the soul. What misery has been wrought by men setting themselves up as judges of the consciences of their brethren!

Of course all the foregoing refers to a real offence of some one against me, while I am faultless. In most cases there is fault on both sides, and in this case I am powerless to help my brother until my own fault is found and confessed. The Master says, "Why do you keep looking at the speck in your brother's eye, and pay no attention to the beam that is in your own?" (Matt. 7:3).

WORSHIP

There is another solemn warning given by our Lord as to the acceptability of our worship in connection with this matter. He insists that worship is worthless when proffered by a man at odds with his brother. "When you are presenting your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother has any grievance against you, leave your gift right there before the altar, and go and make up with your brother; then come back and present your gift" (Matt. 5:23,24).

How much so-called worship this excludes! What astonishment may be found in the day of examination at the futility of supposed worship by many who were not reconciled to their brethren!

Severe judgments have been made on godly souls. Harsh sentences are passed, because of a difference of judgment on ecclesiastical matters or discipline. Saints are separated, life-long friendships broken, and even families divided on a mistaken plea of righteousness, or even love to Christ! We may excuse a harsh action by calling it love for righteousness, but Scripture discloses such folly. It has even been claimed that our Lord's commands in the sermon on the mount are Jewish and therefore not binding on Christians! But how shall such a claim escape the searching words of the Spirit through Paul? "You must be kind to one another, you must be tender-hearted, and forgive one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. So follow God's example, like His dear children, and lead loving lives, just as Christ loved you and gave Himself for you, as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Eph. 4:32-5:2).

May God in His mercy open our eyes to the folly of a harsh spirit, and enable us to practice love and kindness and gentleness to one another and to all men! A. S. Loizeaux
'OUR FELLOWSHIP'