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LESSON V.—SABBATH, JUNE 23, 1900

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Jun 13, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 24.

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LESSON V.—SABBATH, JUNE 23, 1900.

By Editor

JUDGING, ASKING, LIVING.

Lesson Scripture, Matt. 7:1-14, R.V.
1 "JUDGE not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye 2 mete, it shall be measured unto you. And why beholdest thou 3 the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the 4 beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy 5 brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. 6 "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine, lest haply they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you. 7 "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; 8 knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that 9 knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone; 10 or if he shall ask for a fish, will give him a serpent? If ye 11 then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven 12 give good things to them that ask Him? All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them; for this is the law and the prophets. 13 "Enter ye in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many be 14 they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few be they that find it." [The best help on this lesson is "Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing."]

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

NOTE.—The texts inclosed in marks of parentheses, while not essential to the lesson study, will be found to throw much light upon the lesson, and are suggested for those who wish to study further.
  1. What admonition does our Lord give us as to judging or condemning? Verse 1.
  2. Why should we not condemn others? Verse 1. (Rom. 2:1; James 4:11, 12.)
  3. What questions does He ask which teach us our own fallibility? Verses 3, 4. Note 1.
  4. What positive injunction does He give? Verse 5.
  5. What prudence should we show in the dissemination of God's blessings? Verse 6. Note 2. (Prov. 9:7, 8; 23:9.)
  6. How are God's blessings to be obtained? Verse 7.
  7. What assurance does He give? Verse 8. Note 3.
  8. What appeal does Jesus make to mere earthly affection? Verses 9, 10.
  9. What comparison does He make? Verse 11. (Luke 11:9-13.)
  10. What disposition should we cherish toward all? By what is this injunction enforced? Verse 12. Note 4. (Lev. 19:18.)
  11. What way are we enjoined to take? Verse 13, first clause. (Luke 13:24.)
  12. Why should we take the straight gate and narrow way? Verse 14.
  13. Why should we shun the broad way and gate? Verse 13.
  14. What is said of the number that enter each gate? Verses 13, 14.

NOTES.

1. BEHOLDING, gazing at a fault in others, turns the attention of others to the thing looked at. It leads to judging, condemning. "Mote," a chip, a splinter, in contrast with a great beam. How can a man with a beam of wood in his eye take from another eye a mere splinter of wood? The sin of sitting in judgment on others is one of the greatest of sins. This judging does not refer to proper church discipline, where the Spirit guides. 1 Corinthians 5. But be sure in such case that it is in reality done in Christ's name and Spirit. 2. THE figures are those of casting the flesh of the sacrifice unto dogs, and precious seed pearls, resembling grain, to hogs, which, undeceived, trample them underfoot and rend you. Do not cast the precious truth of God before those who have no desire to hear it. They must be reached in some other way. 3. HE who asks to receive, must not ask amiss. James 4:3. It must be to God's glory. He who seeks to find, must seek with all his heart. Jer. 29:13. And he who knocks successfully, will have his whole soul in the knocking. He must long for admittance. Note that this asking must refer not only to ourselves, but we should ask for those whom we would naturally condemn. 4. THE sum of the right treatment of all men is