Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
In the parable of Matthew 18:21-35 the king asks why the servant he had freely forgiven would not show the same pity to his fellow servant, teaching that forgiveness is never limited to a fixed number of offenses. The king is Christ, moved with compassion to cancel a debt sinners condemned by the broken law could never pay or earn, because He gave His life for them at infinite price. The servant owed an enormous debt for willful rebellion while his fellow servant owed only a small wrong, yet he refused patience and mercy over that little after his own great debt was canceled. The question rebukes that injustice and ingratitude, exposing an unforgiving spirit in one forgiven much. One who has received such pity, love, patience and forgiveness is therefore bound to treat others as the master treated him, giving freely in the same measure as it was received. People are not forgiven because they forgive but as they forgive, so refusing from the heart to forgive rejects hope of pardon and brings judgment without mercy.
Parable Setting and Symbols
The question belongs to the parable in Matthew 18:21-35, where Christ teaches that forgiveness is not limited to a fixed number of offenses. His followers are never to become weary of forgiving, and that instruction brings relief, courage, and hope. The servant who received compassion is asked why he would not show the same compassion to a fellow servant.
The king is Christ, moved with compassion to forgive a debt that cannot be paid. His pardon represents God's supernatural, compassionate forgiveness of sinners condemned by the broken law, who cannot save themselves, repay, or earn it. That pardon was made possible because Christ gave His life for them at an infinite price and freely offers it, so what is freely received from Him is to be freely given. Christ's life gives the example of how people should treat one another, requiring the forgiven to do to the afflicted fellow laborer as the master did to him, showing mercy and heeding the request for patience. To deal with a fellow servant in an altogether different manner and withhold mercy violates that duty.
The servant's enormous debt is the sinner's great debt to God, owed by a willful and rebellious sinner. The fellow servant's small debt is another person's lesser wrong. After his own enormous debt was canceled, the servant refused patience and mercy over that small amount, ignoring the request for patience. To hold fellow believers harshly to account for lesser wrongs after receiving such pity fails to imitate that compassion.
The king's question rebukes the inconsistency and injustice of accepting a great debt forgiven while withholding pity over a small debt. It exposes an ungrateful, unforgiving spirit in one who forgets what was received. Receiving mercy obliges a person to forgive rather than cherish an unforgiving spirit. Those forgiven much who reveal such a spirit act out the spirit of that servant after his lord had forgiven him.
Mercy Received Mercy Required
One who has received pity, love, patience and forgiveness for many errors and sins is bound to show the same compassion, pity and mercy to a fellowservant, treating that fellowservant as the master treated him and matching the mercy received rather than giving way to harshness or severity. The forgiven servant stood condemned precisely because, after being forgiven a far greater debt, he refused to treat his fellowservant mercifully, and the question holds all accountable who will not forgive others from the heart. To receive mercy from the Lord and withhold it from another fails to honor the gift, and to condemn others without mercy is wrong because each is accountable to God for how others are treated.
God's compassion is the measure for compassion toward others, to be given in the same measure as it was received, freely given because it was freely received. The king's pardon pictures divine forgiveness for those condemned by the broken law who cannot save themselves, made possible because Christ gave His life for them and freely offers pardon, and that mercy is the ground for forgiving fellow sinners. Christ's self-denying sacrifice to save sinners makes the obligation plain, that those who owe salvation to His mercy must practice His lessons and give themselves in service rather than live for display or merely consume, practicing that compassion even toward the fallen and outcast instead of treating God's people with a spirit of mastery.
Forgiveness does not come because a person forgives, but as a person forgives, for pardon rests on undeserved love and treatment of others shows whether that love has been made one's own. Receiving such great mercy must change the character to humility and gratitude leading to kindness rather than strict justice, oppression or humiliation, and the contrast stands between generous mercy and the harshness of one who will not pass mercy on. Refusal from the heart to forgive shows that mercy has not changed the character and brings judgment rather than continued forgiveness, and this duty binds in church, business and every relationship of life.
Mercy received should soften the heart to forgiveness, patience, forbearance, tenderness and gratitude from the heart, with meekness and humility instead of a severe, exacting, quick spirit to criticize, censure or condemn those who err. Refusing mercy while claiming one's rights reveals pride, hardness of heart and failure to appreciate the love already received, and people are judged by the spirit they show toward erring brethren rather than by their own opinion of themselves. Human sins against God far outweigh the wrongs others do, so refusing to forgive is unjust and casts away one's own hope of pardon. No provocation authorizes unkind feelings, resentment, revenge, harshness or severity, and no one receiving mercy in forgiveness of trespasses can condemn a brother or cast the first stone against him, but must show soft, sympathizing hearts toward fellow men and treat a brother and his errors as he wishes God to treat him when he offends.
Warning to the Unforgiving
To refuse from the heart to forgive others is to reject one's own hope of being pardoned and to bring judgment and accountability before God. Pardon is withheld from those who will not forgive from the heart, for the servant who had received far greater compassion was wrong to refuse pity to his fellow servant. Those who judge without mercy will themselves face judgment without mercy, and such hardness of heart and lack of love stand condemned.
The question exposes the unforgiving spirit of one forgiven much, condemning as wicked the servant who forgets what he received and acts as an oppressor. He deals harshly where God dealt mercifully, refusing to forgive a small debt after his own great debt that he could not pay was forgiven. It is directed to those who are rigid about a brother's wrong while their own record in heaven stands charged with unconfessed sins, requiring that those forgiven must from their hearts forgive every brother his trespasses.
Refusal brings the lord's wrath and delivery to the tormentors till all is paid, for so the heavenly Father will do to the unforgiving. God's forgiveness should soften the heart, and refusing mercy reveals pride, hardness of heart, and failure to appreciate the love already received. God will deal with men in judgment not according to their own opinion of themselves, their self-confidence and profession, but according to the spirit they reveal toward erring brethren. He treats them as they treat a brother and his errors, as they wish God to treat them when they offend Him. No provocation authorizes unkind feelings, resentment, revenge, harshness or severity, and no one receiving God's mercy in forgiveness of trespasses can condemn a brother or cast the first stone against him, for a harsh, severe, unsympathizing spirit is the spirit of Satan, born of cherished pride of heart.
Without this compassion the heart remains unconverted and unfit for heaven. Unless one falls upon the Rock and is broken, melted and softened, made entirely new in heart and mind and spirit by dying to self in Christ, the Lord will repay neglect and cruelty. He will not sanction the work of those who refuse to forgive when they themselves have been forgiven, and such an unforgiving representation must not be seen among His people, who must walk and work in love and conduct all business on Christ's lines. To demand mercy for oneself while withholding it from another fails to honor the gift, for compassion shown to a fellow servant should match the mercy received rather than give way to harshness or severity. To condemn others without mercy is wrong, since each person is accountable to God for how he treats others.
Humility Unity and Correction
The question belongs to Christ's instruction on how His followers are to act toward one another in all cases and under all circumstances, ruling out striving for supremacy, self-exaltation, and desire for mastery. Greatness in Christ's spiritual kingdom is not position, outward splendor, or authority, but inward and spiritual excellence manifested in true conversion. That greatness is found by ever learning of Christ, taking His yoke of submission and obedience, and partaking of His meek and lowly spirit to find rest for the soul, and meekness and humility are necessary to preserve the Christian spirit. Because people constantly need grace, forgiveness, mercy, and compassion, those who have received Christ's pity and forgiveness must show the same compassion and pity to fellow servants and must not be harsh, exacting, quick to criticize, censure, or condemn fellow believers who err.
The whole of Matthew 18 is most positive instruction laying down Christ's principles for securing eternal life, to love God with all heart and soul and mind and strength and to love one's neighbor as oneself. It is to be hung in memory, often read and pondered, obeyed, and woven into Christian experience. Each person is to cultivate the garden of his own soul, removing every weed and tare, taking his own garden under stewardship instead of seeking weeds in his neighbor's garden. He is to purify his own thoughts by bringing them into captivity to Jesus Christ, and to guard his words rather than scattering them recklessly without regard for where they lodge and what result they produce.
The chapter is to be studied carefully to distinguish harmful faultfinding from faults that must be corrected. One doing wrong is to be approached without self-importance, seeking to save that person from ruin. Christ's instructions for sin among believers must be followed in a spirit of mercy, seeking to reclaim a brother rather than condemn or injure him, and not with an aggrieved, unforgiving spirit that nurses grievances or fosters dissension. Misconduct is to be addressed through an orderly church process, to which church workers, including physicians, are accountable and by which they are corrected when necessary. Practicing this instruction brings a better atmosphere in the family, school, and church.
Criticism, faultfinding, dissension, self-esteem, self-exaltation, and strife to be highly esteemed are expressly the work of the devil and must be met with plain, decided, clear-cut It is written and condemned. Lack of love among believers is sure evidence that Christ is not dwelling in their hearts, and God does not desire any man to draw apart from his brethren but requires compassion on fellow servants even as He had pity. Reading the chapter traces the cause of disaffection and its evil consequences in suspicion, distrust, criticism, and faultfinding. That work began in the heavenly courts by seeking sympathy, claiming wonderful things could be done if not hampered by the law, suggesting a change in God's government for the advantage of the heavenly family, deceiving angels into assent, putting his own thoughts in their minds and then repeating them to the highest Authority, and covering tracks so suspicion and distrust of God and of one another entered without anyone defining how, until rebellion had to be taken hold of with a decision God alone could exercise, and for the good of the loyal and true the disloyal were expelled from heaven with the instigator of evil.
Those in positions of responsibility must not rule as lords with mastery, harsh, overbearing, impatient, boastful, or dictatorial treatment. They are to act with wisdom, kindness, and humility to protect and strengthen God's people, reject selfishness, uplift, and set a safe example. They are to practice Christ's compassion toward others, including those who are fallen or outcast. A merciless spirit is inconsistent with representing Christ.
Compassion in Daily Life
The duty reaches into church, business, and every relationship in life, requiring all business to be conducted on Christ's lines in the love of Christ. Those forgiven a debt they could not pay must have the same compassion and pity toward a fellowservant, forgiving every brother his trespasses from the heart. This applies directly to forgiving a fellow believer's debt rather than pressing a claim harshly. To accept much forgiveness and then deal harshly where mercy was received, forgetting what was received and acting as an oppressor over a small debt, is wicked, and such an unforgiving representation must not be seen among believers.
Self must not be allowed to come between the soul and God, and self is to be kept under the control of the great Teacher. That forbids self-sufficiency, standing back on dignity when not specially requested, taking satisfaction in the deficiencies of brethren, and cherishing perversity of spirit and fancied superiority of judgment. It forbids both inward concealed strife for supremacy and manifest strife to be first. Such strife grieves the Spirit of the Saviour, hinders the work, and turns those who ought to be a blessing into a curse that retards instead of advancing the work. Every unsanctified element must therefore be cleansed from the soul temple so that truth is properly represented in all its lines, the gospel ministry is honored rather than disparaged or given an inferior place, servants are given ample room to do their appointed work as teachers, Bible study is pursued with intense interest and practiced, less human wisdom and more of God's wisdom is seen, time and strength are saved, and unity is preserved.
Workers connected in God's work, especially those in responsible positions in His institutions, must love as brethren and be united in sympathy, kindness, patience, brotherly kindness, forbearance, tenderness, and courtesy as faithful stewards, with the love of Christ abiding in the heart, and carefully learning this lesson is for present and eternal good. Lack of love among believers is sure evidence Christ is not dwelling in the heart. They must not hurt, condemn, destroy, discourage, or neglect Christ's heritage through selfishness and carelessness, nor hinder and repress one doing a good work, accuse one another, think and speak evil, want another worker in higher office removed, or devise plans to separate brethren. An unfeeling, unmerciful spirit comes from Satan, greatly offends God, and God will accept the work of no one who hurts and discourages, but instead of destroying they are to restore.
Those who have received Christ's compassion must show compassion daily in loving, tender, compassionate treatment of others, including young people entrusted to care. Criticism, resentment, and provocation toward fellow workers are wrong; they should instead uplift, strengthen, and bless one another. Christ's instructions for sin among believers must be followed in a spirit of mercy that seeks to reclaim rather than condemn or injure. Practicing this brings a better atmosphere in the family, school, and church.
In the home a hardhearted, unsympathetic, fault-finding spirit is the spirit of the relentless servant. One who has received pity, love, and patience for many errors and sins must show the same compassion, pity, and patience to a fellowservant, especially a husband to his wife when she errs. A husband is houseband, the one who binds the family together, the priest in the family who carries accountability and responsibility. He must exercise love that suffers long and is kind, tender, and pitiful. Without this compassion the heart remains unconverted and unfit for heaven, and unless there is falling upon the Rock to be broken, melted, and softened, made entirely new in heart, mind, and spirit by dying to self in Christ, neglect and cruelty will be repaid.
Those whom Christ has long borne with, encouraged, and sent helpful messages of kindness and love for His cause and His name's glory must show the same compassion to brethren, receive reproof, repent, and turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart. Dissension and alienation are healed when the corrected receive reproof and turn from a wrong course. Refusal to learn this lesson perverts righteousness, weakens the hands of ministers, and leaves spiritual perception blinded and captive to Satan's strategy. It brings judgment as transgressing God's law, breaking His covenant, and despising His warnings.
The lesson calls for humbling before God, turning the mind from self, and making personal efforts to help those outside Christ, which requires thorough conversion, single purpose, and pure motives. It means cooperating with Christ and His angels in real ministerial service to help needy souls in the valley of decision to repentance, winning souls, enlightening the ignorant, and relieving the oppressed. Christ leaves the flock in the fold to seek the lost, straying sheep in the mountains, rejoicing more over one sinner that repents, and this power and pity received from the Father He transfers to those who cooperate with Him in self-denial and self-sacrifice. Timid members and churches are therefore to awake and work as at the descent of the Holy Spirit, be converted, obey truth in Christian practice, and not annoy and perplex the weak in faith. Students are to be given special opportunities to learn missionary work and place themselves in the channel of light to receive and impart the truth that made them children of God. As Christ deals in mercy, brethren in difficulty must be dealt with in mercy by taking interest in their behalf and rallying to their rescue, including rallying to rescue institutions in need.
In the parable of Matthew 18:21-35 the king asks why the servant he had freely forgiven would not show the same pity to his fellow servant, teaching that forgiveness is never limited to a fixed number of offenses. The king is Christ, moved with compassion to cancel a debt sinners condemned by the broken law could never pay or earn, because He gave His life for them at infinite price. The servant owed an enormous debt for willful rebellion while his fellow servant owed only a small wrong, yet he refused patience and mercy over that little after his own great debt was canceled. The question rebukes that injustice and ingratitude, exposing an unforgiving spirit in one forgiven much. One who has received such pity, love, patience and forgiveness is therefore bound to treat others as the master treated him, giving freely in the same measure as it was received. People are not forgiven because they forgive but as they forgive, so refusing from the heart to forgive rejects hope of pardon and brings judgment without mercy.
Parable Setting and Symbols
The question belongs to the parable in Matthew 18:21-35, where Christ teaches that forgiveness is not limited to a fixed number of offenses. His followers are never to become weary of forgiving, and that instruction brings relief, courage, and hope. The servant who received compassion is asked why he would not show the same compassion to a fellow servant.
The king is Christ, moved with compassion to forgive a debt that cannot be paid. His pardon represents God's supernatural, compassionate forgiveness of sinners condemned by the broken law, who cannot save themselves, repay, or earn it. That pardon was made possible because Christ gave His life for them at an infinite price and freely offers it, so what is freely received from Him is to be freely given. Christ's life gives the example of how people should treat one another, requiring the forgiven to do to the afflicted fellow laborer as the master did to him, showing mercy and heeding the request for patience. To deal with a fellow servant in an altogether different manner and withhold mercy violates that duty.
The servant's enormous debt is the sinner's great debt to God, owed by a willful and rebellious sinner. The fellow servant's small debt is another person's lesser wrong. After his own enormous debt was canceled, the servant refused patience and mercy over that small amount, ignoring the request for patience. To hold fellow believers harshly to account for lesser wrongs after receiving such pity fails to imitate that compassion.
The king's question rebukes the inconsistency and injustice of accepting a great debt forgiven while withholding pity over a small debt. It exposes an ungrateful, unforgiving spirit in one who forgets what was received. Receiving mercy obliges a person to forgive rather than cherish an unforgiving spirit. Those forgiven much who reveal such a spirit act out the spirit of that servant after his lord had forgiven him.
Mercy Received Mercy Required
One who has received pity, love, patience and forgiveness for many errors and sins is bound to show the same compassion, pity and mercy to a fellowservant, treating that fellowservant as the master treated him and matching the mercy received rather than giving way to harshness or severity. The forgiven servant stood condemned precisely because, after being forgiven a far greater debt, he refused to treat his fellowservant mercifully, and the question holds all accountable who will not forgive others from the heart. To receive mercy from the Lord and withhold it from another fails to honor the gift, and to condemn others without mercy is wrong because each is accountable to God for how others are treated.
God's compassion is the measure for compassion toward others, to be given in the same measure as it was received, freely given because it was freely received. The king's pardon pictures divine forgiveness for those condemned by the broken law who cannot save themselves, made possible because Christ gave His life for them and freely offers pardon, and that mercy is the ground for forgiving fellow sinners. Christ's self-denying sacrifice to save sinners makes the obligation plain, that those who owe salvation to His mercy must practice His lessons and give themselves in service rather than live for display or merely consume, practicing that compassion even toward the fallen and outcast instead of treating God's people with a spirit of mastery.
Forgiveness does not come because a person forgives, but as a person forgives, for pardon rests on undeserved love and treatment of others shows whether that love has been made one's own. Receiving such great mercy must change the character to humility and gratitude leading to kindness rather than strict justice, oppression or humiliation, and the contrast stands between generous mercy and the harshness of one who will not pass mercy on. Refusal from the heart to forgive shows that mercy has not changed the character and brings judgment rather than continued forgiveness, and this duty binds in church, business and every relationship of life.
Mercy received should soften the heart to forgiveness, patience, forbearance, tenderness and gratitude from the heart, with meekness and humility instead of a severe, exacting, quick spirit to criticize, censure or condemn those who err. Refusing mercy while claiming one's rights reveals pride, hardness of heart and failure to appreciate the love already received, and people are judged by the spirit they show toward erring brethren rather than by their own opinion of themselves. Human sins against God far outweigh the wrongs others do, so refusing to forgive is unjust and casts away one's own hope of pardon. No provocation authorizes unkind feelings, resentment, revenge, harshness or severity, and no one receiving mercy in forgiveness of trespasses can condemn a brother or cast the first stone against him, but must show soft, sympathizing hearts toward fellow men and treat a brother and his errors as he wishes God to treat him when he offends.
Warning to the Unforgiving
To refuse from the heart to forgive others is to reject one's own hope of being pardoned and to bring judgment and accountability before God. Pardon is withheld from those who will not forgive from the heart, for the servant who had received far greater compassion was wrong to refuse pity to his fellow servant. Those who judge without mercy will themselves face judgment without mercy, and such hardness of heart and lack of love stand condemned.
The question exposes the unforgiving spirit of one forgiven much, condemning as wicked the servant who forgets what he received and acts as an oppressor. He deals harshly where God dealt mercifully, refusing to forgive a small debt after his own great debt that he could not pay was forgiven. It is directed to those who are rigid about a brother's wrong while their own record in heaven stands charged with unconfessed sins, requiring that those forgiven must from their hearts forgive every brother his trespasses.
Refusal brings the lord's wrath and delivery to the tormentors till all is paid, for so the heavenly Father will do to the unforgiving. God's forgiveness should soften the heart, and refusing mercy reveals pride, hardness of heart, and failure to appreciate the love already received. God will deal with men in judgment not according to their own opinion of themselves, their self-confidence and profession, but according to the spirit they reveal toward erring brethren. He treats them as they treat a brother and his errors, as they wish God to treat them when they offend Him. No provocation authorizes unkind feelings, resentment, revenge, harshness or severity, and no one receiving God's mercy in forgiveness of trespasses can condemn a brother or cast the first stone against him, for a harsh, severe, unsympathizing spirit is the spirit of Satan, born of cherished pride of heart.
Without this compassion the heart remains unconverted and unfit for heaven. Unless one falls upon the Rock and is broken, melted and softened, made entirely new in heart and mind and spirit by dying to self in Christ, the Lord will repay neglect and cruelty. He will not sanction the work of those who refuse to forgive when they themselves have been forgiven, and such an unforgiving representation must not be seen among His people, who must walk and work in love and conduct all business on Christ's lines. To demand mercy for oneself while withholding it from another fails to honor the gift, for compassion shown to a fellow servant should match the mercy received rather than give way to harshness or severity. To condemn others without mercy is wrong, since each person is accountable to God for how he treats others.
Humility Unity and Correction
The question belongs to Christ's instruction on how His followers are to act toward one another in all cases and under all circumstances, ruling out striving for supremacy, self-exaltation, and desire for mastery. Greatness in Christ's spiritual kingdom is not position, outward splendor, or authority, but inward and spiritual excellence manifested in true conversion. That greatness is found by ever learning of Christ, taking His yoke of submission and obedience, and partaking of His meek and lowly spirit to find rest for the soul, and meekness and humility are necessary to preserve the Christian spirit. Because people constantly need grace, forgiveness, mercy, and compassion, those who have received Christ's pity and forgiveness must show the same compassion and pity to fellow servants and must not be harsh, exacting, quick to criticize, censure, or condemn fellow believers who err.
The whole of Matthew 18 is most positive instruction laying down Christ's principles for securing eternal life, to love God with all heart and soul and mind and strength and to love one's neighbor as oneself. It is to be hung in memory, often read and pondered, obeyed, and woven into Christian experience. Each person is to cultivate the garden of his own soul, removing every weed and tare, taking his own garden under stewardship instead of seeking weeds in his neighbor's garden. He is to purify his own thoughts by bringing them into captivity to Jesus Christ, and to guard his words rather than scattering them recklessly without regard for where they lodge and what result they produce.
The chapter is to be studied carefully to distinguish harmful faultfinding from faults that must be corrected. One doing wrong is to be approached without self-importance, seeking to save that person from ruin. Christ's instructions for sin among believers must be followed in a spirit of mercy, seeking to reclaim a brother rather than condemn or injure him, and not with an aggrieved, unforgiving spirit that nurses grievances or fosters dissension. Misconduct is to be addressed through an orderly church process, to which church workers, including physicians, are accountable and by which they are corrected when necessary. Practicing this instruction brings a better atmosphere in the family, school, and church.
Criticism, faultfinding, dissension, self-esteem, self-exaltation, and strife to be highly esteemed are expressly the work of the devil and must be met with plain, decided, clear-cut It is written and condemned. Lack of love among believers is sure evidence that Christ is not dwelling in their hearts, and God does not desire any man to draw apart from his brethren but requires compassion on fellow servants even as He had pity. Reading the chapter traces the cause of disaffection and its evil consequences in suspicion, distrust, criticism, and faultfinding. That work began in the heavenly courts by seeking sympathy, claiming wonderful things could be done if not hampered by the law, suggesting a change in God's government for the advantage of the heavenly family, deceiving angels into assent, putting his own thoughts in their minds and then repeating them to the highest Authority, and covering tracks so suspicion and distrust of God and of one another entered without anyone defining how, until rebellion had to be taken hold of with a decision God alone could exercise, and for the good of the loyal and true the disloyal were expelled from heaven with the instigator of evil.
Those in positions of responsibility must not rule as lords with mastery, harsh, overbearing, impatient, boastful, or dictatorial treatment. They are to act with wisdom, kindness, and humility to protect and strengthen God's people, reject selfishness, uplift, and set a safe example. They are to practice Christ's compassion toward others, including those who are fallen or outcast. A merciless spirit is inconsistent with representing Christ.
Compassion in Daily Life
The duty reaches into church, business, and every relationship in life, requiring all business to be conducted on Christ's lines in the love of Christ. Those forgiven a debt they could not pay must have the same compassion and pity toward a fellowservant, forgiving every brother his trespasses from the heart. This applies directly to forgiving a fellow believer's debt rather than pressing a claim harshly. To accept much forgiveness and then deal harshly where mercy was received, forgetting what was received and acting as an oppressor over a small debt, is wicked, and such an unforgiving representation must not be seen among believers.
Self must not be allowed to come between the soul and God, and self is to be kept under the control of the great Teacher. That forbids self-sufficiency, standing back on dignity when not specially requested, taking satisfaction in the deficiencies of brethren, and cherishing perversity of spirit and fancied superiority of judgment. It forbids both inward concealed strife for supremacy and manifest strife to be first. Such strife grieves the Spirit of the Saviour, hinders the work, and turns those who ought to be a blessing into a curse that retards instead of advancing the work. Every unsanctified element must therefore be cleansed from the soul temple so that truth is properly represented in all its lines, the gospel ministry is honored rather than disparaged or given an inferior place, servants are given ample room to do their appointed work as teachers, Bible study is pursued with intense interest and practiced, less human wisdom and more of God's wisdom is seen, time and strength are saved, and unity is preserved.
Workers connected in God's work, especially those in responsible positions in His institutions, must love as brethren and be united in sympathy, kindness, patience, brotherly kindness, forbearance, tenderness, and courtesy as faithful stewards, with the love of Christ abiding in the heart, and carefully learning this lesson is for present and eternal good. Lack of love among believers is sure evidence Christ is not dwelling in the heart. They must not hurt, condemn, destroy, discourage, or neglect Christ's heritage through selfishness and carelessness, nor hinder and repress one doing a good work, accuse one another, think and speak evil, want another worker in higher office removed, or devise plans to separate brethren. An unfeeling, unmerciful spirit comes from Satan, greatly offends God, and God will accept the work of no one who hurts and discourages, but instead of destroying they are to restore.
Those who have received Christ's compassion must show compassion daily in loving, tender, compassionate treatment of others, including young people entrusted to care. Criticism, resentment, and provocation toward fellow workers are wrong; they should instead uplift, strengthen, and bless one another. Christ's instructions for sin among believers must be followed in a spirit of mercy that seeks to reclaim rather than condemn or injure. Practicing this brings a better atmosphere in the family, school, and church.
In the home a hardhearted, unsympathetic, fault-finding spirit is the spirit of the relentless servant. One who has received pity, love, and patience for many errors and sins must show the same compassion, pity, and patience to a fellowservant, especially a husband to his wife when she errs. A husband is houseband, the one who binds the family together, the priest in the family who carries accountability and responsibility. He must exercise love that suffers long and is kind, tender, and pitiful. Without this compassion the heart remains unconverted and unfit for heaven, and unless there is falling upon the Rock to be broken, melted, and softened, made entirely new in heart, mind, and spirit by dying to self in Christ, neglect and cruelty will be repaid.
Those whom Christ has long borne with, encouraged, and sent helpful messages of kindness and love for His cause and His name's glory must show the same compassion to brethren, receive reproof, repent, and turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart. Dissension and alienation are healed when the corrected receive reproof and turn from a wrong course. Refusal to learn this lesson perverts righteousness, weakens the hands of ministers, and leaves spiritual perception blinded and captive to Satan's strategy. It brings judgment as transgressing God's law, breaking His covenant, and despising His warnings.
The lesson calls for humbling before God, turning the mind from self, and making personal efforts to help those outside Christ, which requires thorough conversion, single purpose, and pure motives. It means cooperating with Christ and His angels in real ministerial service to help needy souls in the valley of decision to repentance, winning souls, enlightening the ignorant, and relieving the oppressed. Christ leaves the flock in the fold to seek the lost, straying sheep in the mountains, rejoicing more over one sinner that repents, and this power and pity received from the Father He transfers to those who cooperate with Him in self-denial and self-sacrifice. Timid members and churches are therefore to awake and work as at the descent of the Holy Spirit, be converted, obey truth in Christian practice, and not annoy and perplex the weak in faith. Students are to be given special opportunities to learn missionary work and place themselves in the channel of light to receive and impart the truth that made them children of God. As Christ deals in mercy, brethren in difficulty must be dealt with in mercy by taking interest in their behalf and rallying to their rescue, including rallying to rescue institutions in need.