Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 165

Joseph Forgiving His Brethren. "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Matt. 6:12.

1. What has G.o.d promised to do when we confess our sins?

"If we confess our sins, _He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins_, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.

2. How has it been made possible for sins to be forgiven?

"If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and _He is the propitiation for our sins_." 1 John 2:1, 2.

3. To whom should sins be confessed, and why?

"_Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned_, and done this evil in Thy sight." Ps. 51:4. See Gen. 39:9.

4. What instruction is given concerning confession of faults?

"_Confess your faults one to another_, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." James 5:16.

NOTES.-The Bible makes a distinction between a sin and a fault. We sin against G.o.d; for sin is the transgression of His law. 1 John 3:4.

We trespa.s.s one against another. These offenses, while involving sin, are called faults, and should be corrected by confession and forgiveness. The only remedy for either pointed out in the Word of G.o.d is heartfelt confession. One writer aptly says: "Confess your sins to G.o.d, who only can forgive them, and your faults to one another. If you have given offense to your friend or neighbor, you are to acknowledge your wrong, and it is his duty freely to forgive you. Then you are to seek the forgiveness of G.o.d, because the brother you have wounded is the property of G.o.d, and in injuring him you sinned against his Creator and Redeemer."

To confess one's faults is not an easy thing to do; in fact, it is one of the hardest lessons to learn, for it requires the grace of humility as well as that of sorrow and true repentance. It has been said that the four hardest words to p.r.o.nounce in the English language are, "I made a mistake." Frederick the Great wrote to the Prussian senate, "I have just lost a battle, and it is my own fault." Concerning this Goldsmith says, "His confession shows more greatness than his victories."

The confession should not only be complete, but it should be as broad and as public as was the offense. Private offenses should be confessed in private.

5. When we do wrong, what is the natural thing for us to do?

Excuse it, seek to hide it, or blame some one else for it. See Gen. 3:12, 13; 4:9.

6. After David's great sin had been pointed out to him, what did he say?

"I have sinned." 2 Sam. 12:13. "I acknowledge my transgressions." Ps.

51:3.

7. When David in contrition of heart confessed his sin, what was G.o.d's word to him by Nathan, the prophet?

"And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, _The Lord also hath put away thy sin_; thou shalt not die." 2 Sam. 12:13.

NOTE.-This scripture is especially encouraging. G.o.d hates sin. He wants us likewise to hate it and shun it, because it invariably gets us into trouble, causes sorrow of heart, and in the end brings death. But when involved in it, as was David, as soon as it is acknowledged and sincerely confessed, _that very moment it is forgiven_. David said, "I have _sinned_." The immediate answer was returned, "The Lord also _hath put away thy sin_."

8. Is it ever right to tell a brother of his faults?

"If thy brother shall trespa.s.s against thee, _go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone_: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother." Matt. 18:15. "Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: _thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him_." Lev. 19:17.

9. In what spirit should this kind of work be done?

"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one _in the spirit of meekness_; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Gal. 6:1.

NOTE.-It is much easier to tell _some one else_ of a brother's faults than it is to tell _him_ of them _himself_; but this is not the Christian way to proceed. The first efforts should be made with the offender _in person_, and _alone_. But it is easier even to tell _a brother_ of _his_ faults than it is to confess to him _our own_. This, again, let it be noted, is the one very difficult lesson to learn, the one Christian duty difficult to perform. Only humility and the grace of G.o.d will enable one to do it.

10. When we pray, what does Christ tell us to do, and why?

"And when ye stand praying, _forgive_, if ye have aught against any: _that your Father_ also which is in heaven _may forgive you your trespa.s.ses_."

Mark 11:25.

11. If we do not forgive others, what will G.o.d not do?

"But if ye do not forgive, _neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespa.s.ses_." Verse 26. See, for ill.u.s.tration, Christ's parable recorded in Matt. 18:23-35.

12. What words of Joseph to his brethren show that he forgave them for selling him into Egypt?

"Now therefore _be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither_: for G.o.d did send me before you to preserve life.... _So now it was not you that sent me hither, but G.o.d._" Gen. 45:5-8.

13. What was Christ's reply to Peter's question as to the number of times we should forgive one another?

"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, _I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven_."

Matt. 18:21, 22.

NOTE.-That is, an unlimited number. We must pardon offenses against us though ever so often done; we must forgive to the end.

14. What spirit did Jesus manifest toward those who nailed Him to the cross?

"Then said Jesus, _Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do_."

Luke 23:34.

15. How did Stephen manifest the same spirit toward those who stoned him?

"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon G.o.d, ... and he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, _Lord, lay not this sin to their charge_." Acts 7:59, 60. See 1 Peter 4:8.

The Duty Of Encouragement

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

The Father Forgiving His Son. "His father ... had compa.s.sion, and ... fell on his neck, and kissed him." Luke 15:20.