Treatment of the Erring
329
spirit would be the means of binding them to you, and you might then
establish them in the right way. You should be actuated by a forgiving
spirit also, and give due credit to every good purpose and action of
those around you
“Love One Another as I Have Loved You”
God has done His part of the work for the salvation of men, and
now He calls for the co-operation of the church. There are the blood
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of Christ, the word of truth, the Holy Spirit, on one hand, and there are
the perishing souls on the other. Every follower of Christ has a part to
act to bring men to accept the blessings heaven has provided. Let us
closely examine ourselves and see if we have done this work. Let us
question our motives and every action of our lives.
Are there not many unpleasant pictures hanging in memory’s halls?
Often have you needed the forgiveness of Jesus. You have been con-
stantly dependent upon His compassion and love. Yet have you not
failed to manifest toward others the spirit which Christ has exercised
toward you? Have you felt a burden for the one whom you saw ven-
turing into forbidden paths? Have you kindly admonished him? Have
you wept for him and prayed with him and for him? Have you shown
by words of tenderness and kindly acts that you love him and desire to
save him?
As you have associated with those who were faltering and stag-
gering under the load of their own infirmities of disposition and faulty
habits, have you left them to fight the battles alone when you might
have given them help? Have you not passed these sorely tempted ones
by on the other side while the world has stood ready to give them
sympathy and to allure them into Satan’s nets? Have you not, like
Cain, been ready to say: “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Genesis 4:9
.
How must the great Head of the church regard the work of your
life? How does He to whom every soul is precious, as the purchase
of His blood, look upon your indifference to those who stray from the
right path? Are you not afraid that He will leave you just as you leave
them? Be sure that He who is the true Watchman of the Lord’s house
has marked every neglect.
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Testimonies for the Church 4:65