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Chosen no: R-528 b, from: 1883 Year. |
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The Unmerciful Servant
MATT. 18:23-35.
This parable has been urged by some as in
opposition to the necessity of Jesus' death as our ransom, or substitute, in
the settlement of the Adamic penalty. They argue that this parable teaches the
contrary, that God FREELY FORGIVES all Adamic sin, and hence neither requires
men to pay it, nor yet that Jesus should pay it for us, the just for the
unjust. But this is a false presentation of the teaching of this parable, and
results either from having a theory which they seek to prop with some seeming
scriptural evidence, or from a too careless examination of the parable.
The parable does not relate to dealings between
God and the world of sinners; but between God and his covenanted children,
called here, as elsewhere, "bond-servants." They are those who
have already been justified from Adamic guilt by Christ's ransom, and who have
consecrated themselves to God to be his servants forever. These are acquainted
with the will of their king and know how, through weakness of the flesh and
temptation, they have failed to render to God all which their
covenant calls for, and when they have gone to the Father and asked [as members
of the body of Christ--in the name of their head] for mercy, they have always
found him very merciful and he forgave them and said, Go in peace: as Jesus
said, "Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, He will do
it."
In return, it is expected that such shall
be ready to exercise the same leniency toward their fellows. If they do not,
they need not expect any leniency from their Father in the matter of their covenant
keeping, but must be kept to the strict letter of it, and will be delivered
over to trouble and distress in the present life sufficient to make them
sympathize with the weak and erring.
The same lesson is taught in the Lord's prayer.
Forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. It is the church which prays "Our Father"--the church already
made free from Adamic guilt.
W.T. R-528b : page 5
-1883r