Matthew 18:23-35 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a certain king, which would take account of his servants.… Let us consider the nature of our debt. I. To GOD. Pay the debt of (1) Love; (2) Honour; (3) Fear; for He is Lord of all. II. To OURSELVES. Pay thy debt of(1) Love; we ought to love ourselves since God loves us, and we ought to obey the commandment of love — to love ourselves; not in and for ourselves, but as in and belonging to God. (2) Care; we ought to guard and preserve ourselves from dangers ghostly and bodily. Hence the gift of reason to defend and protect the course of life. (3) Salvation (Philippians 2:12; Ecclesiastes 9:10). III. To our NEIGHBOUR. Pay thy debt of(1) Love (Matthew 19:19), dealing with him as with thyself. (2) Instruction; if he wander, seek to lead him back into the paths of righteousness (Matthew 18:15; James 5:20). (3) Help and succour (1 John 3:17, 18; Isaiah 53:7). Epilogue. 1. Husband and discipline every resource. 2. Strive and pray honestly to meet this triple debt. (From the Latin.)What contrasts are here! I. God, the King of kings, towards a servant; and again, a servant towards his fellow-servant. II. An infinite debt, and again, a small debt. III. Impossibility and inability; and again, possibility and ability. IV. Compassion and kindness; and again, hardheartedness and cruel behaviour. (Heubner.) Parallel Verses KJV: Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. |
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