Chapter 226—For the Most Hopeless
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love
as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.
1 Peter 3:8
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Christ came to bring salvation within the reach of all. Upon the cross of
Calvary He paid the infinite redemption price for a lost world.... His mission
was to sinners, sinners of every grade, of every tongue and nation.... The
most erring, the most sinful, were not passed by; His labors were especially
for those who most needed the salvation He came to bring. The greater their
need of reform, the deeper was His interest, the greater His sympathy, and
the more earnest His labors. His great heart of love was stirred to its depths
for the ones whose condition was most hopeless and who most needed His
transforming grace....
We should cultivate the spirit with which Christ labored to save the erring.
They are as dear to Him as we are. They are equally capable of being trophies
of His grace and heirs of the kingdom. But they are exposed to the snares
of a wily foe, exposed to danger and defilement, and without the saving
grace of Christ, to certain ruin. Did we view the matter in the right light,
how would our zeal be quickened and our earnest, self-sacrificing efforts be
multiplied, that we might come close to those who need our help, our prayers,
our sympathy, and our love! ... If our hearts are softened and subdued by the
grace of Christ, and glowing with a sense of God’s goodness and love, there
will be a natural outflow of love, sympathy, and tenderness to others.
Come close to the great heart of pitying love, and let the current of
that divine compassion flow into your heart and from you to the hearts of
others. Let the tenderness and mercy that Jesus has revealed in His own
precious life be an example to us of the manner in which we should treat
our fellow beings, especially those who are our brethren in Christ.... Never,
never become heartless, cold, unsympathetic, and censorious. Never lose an
opportunity to say a word to encourage and inspire hope. We cannot tell how
far-reaching may be our tender words of kindness, our Christlike efforts to
lighten some burden. The erring can be restored in no other way than in the
spirit of meekness, gentleness, and tender love.
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