Jesus Teaches Humility and Forgiveness

GOLDEN TEXT: “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” —Matthew 18:3

MATTHEW 18:1-4, 15-22

TO BE “converted” means to undergo a change of heart and outlook. The disciples asked Jesus who would be greatest in the kingdom of heaven. This displayed a wrong viewpoint on their part. More than once Jesus found his disciples in heated controversy over this question, and two of them on one occasion made a special request that one might have the honor of sitting on the Master’s right hand and the other on his left hand in the kingdom.

Jesus replied to the disciples by telling them that unless they were “converted” from this spirit of ambition, and became as “little children,” they would not have any part in the kingdom of heaven. This was a difficult lesson for the disciples to learn, but through experience, and the coming of the Holy Spirit upon them at Pentecost, they were finally “converted.”

Later Peter wrote, “All of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”—I Pet. 5:5,6

Humility is closely related to the spirit of forgiveness. One who is truly humble will not find it difficult to forgive those who trespass against him, for he will not be overly concerned about his “rights” or his feelings. The course of procedure outlined by Jesus for “gaining” a brother who has trespassed against us should be followed in the spirit of humility.

The first step is to go to him alone. How many heartaches would be avoided if this simple instruction were followed. Too often we go to almost everybody else and tell them what brother so and so has done to us. Those from whom we thus seek sympathy often tell still others, unwittingly distorting the facts more or less. Thus the situation gets almost completely out of hand, and the feelings of many are wounded.

The tongue cannot be tamed, James tells us. It is difficult to understand why those who are running for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, and who are setting their affections on things above, should seemingly get so much pleasure out of repeating rumors about their brethren. Usually each time a rumor is repeated, something is added to it, until finally it sounds like this: “Did you hear that Brother White has gone out of the truth? Yes, that’s right! Sister Jones told me, and she said that Sister Brown had told her, and that Sister Brown had heard it direct from another sister who occasionally visits the ecclesia in which Sister White used to be the secretary. Too bad, isn’t it?”

The promiscuous circulating of rumors concerning our brethren is directly opposite in principle to Jesus’ instruction to go to the offending one alone, and even this is limited to those who may be injured by another’s wrongdoing. If seemingly a brother has said or done something which injures us, going directly to him in the spirit of love may result in the discovery that his wrongdoing was not intentional, or that perhaps he had been misunderstood. Thus the matter is straightened out to the joy of all concerned.

If the injury was intended, and the brother shows willfulness when approached, the other steps outlined by Jesus can be taken. But even then, it should not be a subject of unwholesome gossip among the brethren. Discussing the imperfections of others does not edify us as new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is better to think and talk about the things which are pure and wholesome, and of good report.

Jesus indicates that the decision of the consecrated, when they meet together to hear the case of an offending brother, is recognized by God as binding. The reason for this is that when two or three, or more, gather in the Lord’s name, he meets with them and either directs or overrules their deliberations. The important consideration in this is that they meet in his name, and humbly yield to the guiding influence of the Holy Spirit. The result would be different if we met together determined to have our own way, and to be guided by our own prejudices.

To meet in the Lord’s name, implies that his spirit of love is ruling in the hearts of those who thus assemble. Love does not surmise evil. Love is kind, and does not seek her own. When these qualities abound differences are easily resolved.—I Cor. 13:4-7

QUESTIONS

What did Jesus mean by being “converted” and becoming as “little children”?

What did Peter later write on the subject of humility?

In what way is humility related to the spirit of forgiveness?

Outline the proper procedure on the part of a brother who has been unjustly treated by another brother.

What did Jesus mean when he said, “Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven”?

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