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True Charity Will Not Compromise With Evil, February 21
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the
transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away
our sins; and in him is no sin.
1 John 3:4, 5
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As the years went by and the number of believers grew, John labored with
increasing fidelity and earnestness for his brethren. The times were full of peril
for the church. Satanic delusions existed everywhere. By misrepresentation and
falsehood the emissaries of Satan sought to arouse opposition against the doctrines
of Christ, and in consequence dissensions and heresies were imperiling the church.
Some who professed Christ claimed that His love released them from obedience
to the law of God. On the other hand, many taught that it was necessary to observe
the Jewish customs and ceremonies; that a mere observance of the law, without
faith in the blood of Christ, was sufficient for salvation.
Some held that Christ was a good man, but denied His divinity. Some who
pretended to be true to the cause of God were deceivers, and in practice they denied
Christ and His gospel. Living themselves in transgression, they were bringing
heresies into the church. Thus many were being led into the mazes of skepticism
and delusion.
John was filled with sadness as he saw these poisonous errors creeping into
the church. He saw the dangers to which the church was exposed, and he met the
emergency with promptness and decision. The Epistles of John breathe the spirit
of love. It seems as if he wrote with a pen dipped in love. But when he came in
contact with those who were breaking the law of God, yet claiming that they were
living without sin, he did not hesitate to warn them of their fearful deception....
We are authorized to hold in the same estimation as did the beloved disciple
those who claim to abide in Christ while living in transgression of God’s law.
There exist in these last days evils similar to those that threatened the prosperity of
the early church; and the teachings of the apostle John on these points should be
carefully heeded. “You must have charity” is the cry heard everywhere, especially
from those who profess sanctification. But true charity is too pure to cover an
unconfessed sin. While we are to love the souls for whom Christ died, we are
to make no compromise with evil. We are not to unite with the rebellious and
call this charity. God requires His people in this age of the world to stand for the
right as unflinchingly as did John in opposition to soul-destroying errors.... His
testimony in regard to the Saviour’s life and death was clear and forcible. Out of
the abundance of a heart overflowing with love for the Saviour he spoke; and no
power could stay his words.—
The Acts of the Apostles, 553-555
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