Chapter 12—Other Object Lessons
“Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall
understand the loving-kindness of the Lord.”
God’s healing power runs all through nature. If a tree is cut, if a
human being is wounded or breaks a bone, nature begins at once to
repair the injury. Even before the need exists, the healing agencies are
in readiness; and as soon as a part is wounded, every energy is bent
to the work of restoration. So it is in the spiritual realm. Before sin
created the need, God had provided the remedy. Every soul that yields
to temptation is wounded, bruised, by the adversary; but whenever
there is sin, there is the Saviour. It is Christ’s work “to heal the
brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, ... to set at liberty
them that are bruised.”
Luke 4:18
.
In this work we are to co-operate. “If a man be overtaken in a
fault, ... restore such an one.”
Galatians 6:1
. The word here translated
“restore” means to put in joint, as a dislocated bone. How suggestive
the figure! He who falls into error or sin is thrown out of relation to
everything about him. He may realize his error, and be filled with
remorse; but he cannot recover himself. He is in confusion and perplex-
ity, worsted and helpless. He is to be reclaimed, healed, re-established.
“Ye which are spiritual, restore such an one.” Only the love that flows
[114]
from the heart of Christ can heal. Only he in whom that love flows,
even as the sap in the tree or the blood in the body, can restore the
wounded soul.
Love’s agencies have wonderful power, for they are divine. The
soft answer that “turneth away wrath,” the love that “suffereth long,
and is kind,” the charity that “covereth a multitude of sins” (
Proverbs
15:1
;
1 Corinthians 13:4
, R.V.;
1 Peter 4:8
, R.V.)—would we learn the
lesson, with what power for healing would our lives be gifted! How
life would be transformed, and the earth become a very likeness and
foretaste of heaven!
82