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5：21。 If they persist in sin； the judgment you have declared from God's word is pronounced upon them in heaven。 In choosing to sin； they disown Christ； the church must show that she does not sanction their deeds； or she herself dishonors her Lord。 She must say about sin what God says about it。 She must deal with it as God directs； and her action is ratified in heaven。 He who despises the authority of the church despises the authority of Christ Himself。
But there is a brighter side to the picture。 〃Whosesoever sins ye remit； they are remitted。〃 Let this thought be kept uppermost。 In labor for the erring； let every eye be directed to Christ。 Let the shepherds have a tender care for the flock of the Lord's pasture。 Let them speak to the erring of the forgiving mercy of the Saviour。 Let them encourage the sinner to repent； and believe in Him who can pardon。 Let them declare； on the authority of God's word； 〃If we confess our sins； He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins； and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness。〃 1 John 1：9。 All who repent have the assurance； 〃He will have compassion upon us； He will subdue our iniquities； and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea。〃 Micah 7：19。
Let the repentance of the sinner be accepted by the church with grateful hearts。 Let the repenting one be led out from the darkness of unbelief into the light of faith and righteousness。 Let his trembling hand be placed in the loving hand of Jesus。 Such a remission is ratified in heaven。
Only in this sense has the church power to absolve the sinner。 Remission of sins can be obtained only through the merits of Christ。 To no man； to no body of men； is given power to free the soul from guilt。 Christ charged His disciples to preach the remission of sins in His name among all nations； but they themselves were not empowered to remove one stain of sin。 The name of Jesus is the only 〃name under heaven given among men； whereby we must be saved。〃 Acts 4：12。
When Jesus first met the disciples in the upper chamber； Thomas was not with them。 He heard the reports of the others； and received abundant proof that Jesus had risen； but gloom and unbelief filled his heart。 As he heard the disciples tell of the wonderful manifestations of the risen Saviour； it only plunged him in deeper despair。 If Jesus had
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really risen from the dead； there could be no further hope of a literal earthly kingdom。 And it wounded his vanity to think that his Master should reveal Himself to all the disciples except him。 He was determined not to believe； and for a whole week he brooded over his wretchedness； which seemed all the darker in contrast with the hope and faith of his brethren。
During this time he repeatedly declared； 〃Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails； and put my finger into the print of the nails； and thrust my hand into His side； I will not believe。〃 He would not see through the eyes of his brethren； or exercise faith which was dependent upon their testimony。 He ardently loved his Lord； but he had allowed jealousy and unbelief to take possession of his mind and heart。
A number of the disciples now made the familiar upper chamber their temporary home； and at evening all except Thomas gathered here。 One evening Thomas determined to meet with the others。 Notwithstanding his unbelief； he had a faint hope that the good news was true。 While the disciples were taking their evening meal； they talked of the evidences which Christ had given them in the prophecies。 〃Then came Jesus； the doors being shut； and stood in the midst； and said； Peace be unto you。〃
Turning to Thomas He said； 〃Reach hither thy finger； and behold My hands； and reach hither thy hand； and thrust it into My side： and be not faithless； but believing。〃 These words showed that He was acquainted with the thoughts and words of Thomas。 The doubting disciple knew that none of his companions had seen Jesus for a week。 They could not have told the Master of his unbelief。 He recognized the One before him as his Lord。 He had no desire for further proof。 His heart leaped for joy； and he cast himself at the feet of Jesus crying； 〃My Lord and my God。〃
Jesus accepted his acknowledgment； but gently reproved his unbelief： 〃Thomas； because thou hast seen Me； thou hast believed： blessed are they that have not seen； and yet have believed。〃 The faith of Thomas would have been more pleasing to Christ if he had been willing to believe upon the testimony of his brethren。 Should the world now follow the example of Thomas； no one would believe unto salvation； for all who receive Christ must do so through the testimony of others。
Many who are given to doubt excuse themselves by saying that if they had the evidence which Thomas had from his companions； they would believe。 They do not realize that they have not only that evidence； but
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much more。 Many who； like Thomas； wait for all cause of doubt to be removed； will never realize their desire。 They gradually become confirmed in unbelief。 Those who educate themselves to look on the dark side； and murmur and complain； know not what they do。 They are sowing the seeds of doubt； and they will have a harvest of doubt to reap。 At a time when faith and confidence are most essential； many will thus find themselves powerless to hope and believe。
In His treatment of Thomas； Jesus gave a lesson for His followers。 His example shows how we should treat those whose faith is weak； and who make their doubts prominent。 Jesus did not overwhelm Thomas with reproach； nor did He enter into controversy with him。 He revealed Himself to the doubting one。 Thomas had been most unreasonable in dictating the conditions of his faith； but Jesus； by His generous love and consideration； broke down all the barriers。 Unbelief is seldom overcome by controversy。 It is rather put upon self…defense； and finds new support and excuse。 But let Jesus； in His love and mercy； be revealed as the crucified Saviour； and from many once unwilling lips will be heard the acknowledgment of Thomas； 〃My Lord and my God。〃
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Chapter 85
By the Sea Once More
Jesus had appointed to meet His disciples in Galilee； and soon after the Passover week was ended； they bent their steps thither。 Their absence from Jerusalem during the feast would have been interpreted as disaffection and heresy； therefore they remained till its close； but this over； they gladly turned homeward to meet the Saviour as He had directed。
Seven of the disciples were in company。 They were clad in the humble garb of fishermen； they were poor in worldly goods； but rich in the knowledge and practice of the truth； which in the sight of Heaven gave them the highest rank as teachers。 They had not been students in the schools of the prophets； but for three years they had been taught by the greatest Educator the world has ever known。 Under His instruction they had become elevated； intelligent； and refined； agents through whom men might be led to a knowledge of the truth。
Much of the time