NOTES by Milton Charles Wilcox

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Jul 22, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 28.

NOTES.

By Milton Charles Wilcox

GOD requires of all "to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." This is one of the comprehensive sayings of Holy Writ; it includes all duty. To do justly is to be just, and means straight, or close, upright, honest; equitable in the distribution of justice. It is also defined by Webster as meaning, "Righteous, living in exact conformity to the divine will. True to promises." It embraces all duty, that of keeping God's commandments—the rule of justice. Eccl. 12:13. But we cannot ourselves do this; and as God requires this, and his requirements are not unjust, he will through Christ pardon all past sins, give us a new heart, and so bring us by his grace into conformity to the divine will. Our strength is nothing; power is of God.

MERCY, says Webster, is "that benevolence, mildness, or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment or to inflict less than law or justice will warrant. It implies benevolence, tenderness, mildness, pity or compassion, and clemency, but exercised only toward offenders. Clemency and bounty; charity or the duties of charity, and benevolence." This definition is given thus full in order that the fullness of mercy may be comprehended. It is difficult for selfish, sinful man to forgive an injury. None can really do it unless he himself has received mercy. But Christians, those who have tasted the mercy of God through Christ, ought to be able to exercise it toward others. A realization of God's wondrous mercy to them will help them to forgive; there is no better way. "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel [cause of complaint] against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Col. 3:13; Eph. 4:32.

"Remember thy follies, thy sins, and thy crimes; How vast is that infinite debt! Yet Mercy hath seven by seventy times Been swift to forgive and forget."

MERCY is not only forgiving, but benevolent. It is forgiving because it is benevolent. In fact, forgiveness and benevolence is the same principle differently applied. Forgiveness is applied to wrongs or injuries done us. Forgive means "to give." When we forgive an individual we really give to him, or place to his credit, good in the place of the evil he has done; at the very least we do not hold against him the wrong he has done. We really give good to him who has no claims upon us. Benevolence is "a disposition to do good; kindness, charitableness; the love of mankind, accompanied with a desire to promote their happiness; an act of kindness." (Webster.) Beneficence is the fruit of benevolence. Beneficence pertains to the act, benevolence to the will. It is that which delights in doing for the happiness and welfare of others who have no obligation upon us. Mercy exercised toward an offender is forgiveness; exercised toward our fellows to whom we are not indebted, is beneficence. Therefore, if we love mercy, we will delight in doing for others, labor for their good, sacrifice and deny self for their salvation.

And yet we are under obligation to all. Paul said that he was "debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians." Rom. 1:14 Why was he a debtor? Because Christ had purchased Paul; he was Christ's servant; he was also Christ's co-laborer; and as such he owed his whole life to the service of Christ; and the service of Christ is laboring for the salvation of precious souls. All Christians have been bought with the same price, for the same purpose (1 Peter 2:9); all are therefore under the same obligation. If, therefore, we do justly, and love mercy, we will be faithful commandment keepers through our Lord Jesus Christ, and true, liberal laborers for souls, tender and compassionate to all. Anything else would be proof of ingratitude toward God who had done so much for us.

BUT in order to learn these lessons of justice and mercy, we must walk humbly before God; or, as the margin reads, "humble thyself to walk with thy God." To be humble is to have "a low opinion of one's self, and a deep sense of unworthiness in the sight of God." God dwells with the humble and contrite, not to cast down or destroy, but to revive, that is, give life. Isa. 57:15. He who humbles himself shall be exalted, but he who exalteth himself shall be abased. Luke 18:14. God regards those who are humble. He can teach them; for they honor his holy word. Isa. 66:2. And he who is truly humble, and trusts in God, knows the peace which the world cannot give.

THE germ and substance of the lesson is contained in the first text. The others but expand and draw it out. May every one so study these precious truths that they may appreciate God's goodness, and be as willing to consecrate themselves to his service as was David of old. 1 Chron. 29:14-16.

M. C. Wilcox