Love for the Erring
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a course which will drive them to discouragement, despair, and ruin.
Unless we daily cultivate the precious plant of love we are in danger
of becoming narrow, unsympathetic, bigoted, and critical, esteeming
ourselves righteous when we are far from being approved of God.
Some are uncourteous, abrupt, and harsh. They are like chestnut
burs: they prick whenever touched. These do incalculable harm by
misrepresenting our loving Saviour.
We must come up to a higher standard, or we are unworthy of
the Christian name. We should cultivate the spirit with which Christ
labored to save the erring. They are as dear to Him as we are. They
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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 this 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!
Let those who have been remiss in this work consider their duty in
the light of the great commandment: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thyself.” This obligation is resting upon all. All are required to labor to
diminish the ills and multiply the blessings of their fellow creatures. If
we are strong to resist temptation we are under the greater obligation
to help those who are weak and yielding. Have we knowledge, we
should instruct the ignorant. Has God blessed us with this world’s
goods, it is our duty to succor the poor. We must work for others’ good.
Let all within the sphere of our influence be partakers of whatever of
excellence we may possess. None should be content to feed on the
bread of life without sharing it with those around them.
Those only live for Christ and honor His name who are true to
their Master in seeking to save that which is lost. Genuine piety will
surely manifest the deep longing and earnest labor of the crucified
Saviour to save those for whom He died. 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. The truth exemplified in the life will exert
its power, like the hidden leaven, upon all with whom it is brought in
contact.