Understanding Others
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are not so favorably organized are laboring under.—
Testimonies for
the Church 2:74
.
Welcome for the Repentant—“And of some have compassion,
making a difference” [
Jude 1:22
]. Those who are wise in the wisdom
born of God will see souls in need of help, souls who have been over-
come, and who, though they have sincerely repented, would scarcely
dare, without encouragement, to lay hold of hope. The Lord will put
it into the hearts of those who are stewards of His grace to welcome
these trembling, repentant souls to their loving fellowship. His true
followers will not treat sinners as if they were beyond forgiveness.
They will have compassion on those whose circumstances have been
unfavorable, and who have allowed Satan to lead them in forbidden
paths.
These souls have sinned against God, but if they repent and show
the genuineness of their repentance by earnest efforts to serve the
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Lord, who shall dare forbid them? Encourage them. Give them
an opportunity to regain what they have lost. Pride, covetousness,
sensuality, may have been their besetting sins. Point out their errors,
but not in a way that will drive them from Christ. By words of loving
compassion draw them to Him. However low they may have fallen,
do not destroy their hope of pardon. Labor for them, pray with them,
point them to the Redeemer....
No Condemnation of Others—By earnest, Christlike efforts,
men will be convicted and converted, and God will speak pardon
to them. Let no one turn away a soul who leaves the service of Satan
and asks Jesus for pardon. “Of some have compassion, making a
difference.” When they give evidence that the Spirit of God is striv-
ing with them, present to them every encouragement for entering the
Lord’s service. Do not discourage them by indifference, by drawing
away from them with an air of, “I am holier than thou” [
Isaiah 65:5
].
Those who act as Pharisees may not be guilty of exactly the same
sins they condemn in others, but they may be guilty of sins much
greater in the sight of God. Each will be rewarded according to his
work. Let those who condemn others take heed to themselves, lest
they be condemned by God for Phariseeism.—
Manuscript 37, 1902
.
People With Love, Not Like Chestnut Burs—We must expect
to meet and bear with great imperfections in those who are young
and inexperienced. Christ has bidden us seek to restore such in the