Measure of Forgiveness
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The Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul charges us: “If there
be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any
fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy,
that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord,
of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in
lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look
not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things
of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 2:1-5
.
But sin is not to be lightly regarded. The Lord has commanded us
not to suffer wrong upon our brother. He says, “If thy brother trespass
against thee, rebuke him.”
Luke 17:3
. Sin is to be called by its right
name, and is to be plainly laid out before the wrongdoer.
In his charge to Timothy, Paul, writing by the Holy Spirit, says,
“Be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
longsuffering and doctrine.”
2 Timothy 4:2
. And to Titus he writes,
“There are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers.... Wherefore
rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.”
Titus 1:10-
13
.
“If thy brother shall trespass against thee,” Christ said, “go and
tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee,
thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take
with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses
every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them,
tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be
unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”
Matthew 18:15-17
.
Our Lord teaches that matters of difficulty between Christians are
to be settled within the church. They should not be opened before
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those who do not fear God. If a Christian is wronged by his brother, let
him not appeal to unbelievers in a court of justice. Let him follow out
the instruction Christ has given. Instead of trying to avenge himself,
let him seek to save his brother. God will guard the interests of those
who love and fear Him, and with confidence we may commit our case
to Him who judges righteously.
Too often when wrongs are committed again and again, and the
wrongdoer confesses his fault, the injured one becomes weary, and
thinks he has forgiven quite enough. But the Saviour has plainly told
us how to deal with the erring: “If thy brother trespass against thee,