MARCH 20TH, 1933
MARCH 20TH, 1933
[p. 217] MY DEAR BROTHER, — In answer to your letter of the 17th inst. I may say that I should be truly thankful if I were enabled of the Lord to do anything helpful in regard to the adjustment of the very unhappy difference which has continued so long between you and — . It is a very real grief to me and to the brethren generally.
But no help which your brethren can afford can take the place of personal exercise on your part before the Lord. And no better counsel can be given you than the Lord’s own specific commandments. I think you would be helped by considering very prayerfully and in a spirit of subjection the law of trespass and of the trespass offering — Leviticus 5 and 7. This part of Scripture directly bears on the subject, and, though typically presented, it is the word of God to us, and cannot be disregarded with impunity.
You will notice that the law of trespass is more exacting in its requirements than the law as to sin of inadvertence. Something more than acknowledgment of wrong done is required, The “principal” has to be restored, and a “fifth part” more added thereto. There is the thought of a reparation which leaves one on better terms with one’s offended brother than before the trespass. Nothing less than this could be in the Lord’s mind when He said, “first go, be reconciled to thy brother”. He puts upon the offender the responsibility to “be reconciled”. He does not suggest the thought that it will be attempted in vain. He will Himself see that if it is sincerely sought it will be gained. But it must be sought by one who feels that he has trespassed against the affections which pertain to a very close and tender and divine relationship. It is “thy brother”. How touching is the appeal!
The thought of what is due to the Lord in the matter is also to be fully owned. The ram of the trespass offering must be brought to Jehovah and eaten in the holy place. I do not need to enlarge on this. It shows how serious as before God is any trespass against one’s brother. Nothing could remove it from before God’s holy eye but the death of Christ. But that blessed One loved us so much that He would die and bear in judgment what was due to our trespass. In the light of that how could we hesitate to go down before an offended brother? to surrender all thought of our own importance or dignity? What a lead our precious Saviour and Lord has [p. 218] given us. He who did no wrong has taken all our wrong upon Himself in love. And now His Spirit is to come out in us. Of course in us it is only a matter of righteousness that we should get back into the true and spiritual relations which have been broken in upon by any trespass against a brother.
I have prayed much for you, for I feel that the present circumstances are a real test, and I earnestly desire that you will so get to God about the whole matter as to prove it to be one of the most truly valuable experiences of your life. I am sure that this is what the grace of God would make it for you.
With love in the Lord,
Yours affectionately in Him,
March 20th, 1933.