July 8
The Continual Burnt Offering" A nd whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."
Those who have entered into the kingdom by new birth (John 3:5) are all forgiven sinners who stand before God on the ground of pure grace. Nevertheless, as children in the family of God, they are subject to the Father’s discipline and are under His government. The moment our responsibility as sinners having to do with the God of judgment ended, our responsibility as children having to do with our Father began. In this new relationship we are to display the activities of the divine nature and therefore are called upon to act in grace toward any who may offend us. If we fail to do this, we will be sternly disciplined in order that the government of God may be maintained.
It is the Father who deals with the members of His own family and who will not overlook harshness or lack of compassion on the part of His children toward their erring brethren.
How sweet, how heavenly, is the sight,
When those that love the Lord
In one another’s peace delight,
And thus fulfill His word!
When free from envy, scorn, and pride,
Our wishes all above,
Each can his brother’s failings hide
And show a brother’s love.