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Christ Loves the Sinner, April 18
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have
loved you, that ye also love one another.
John 13:34
.
There are those who cherish a spirit of envy and hatred against their brethren,
calling it the Spirit of God. There are those who go up and down as talebearers,
accusing and condemning, blackening character, inspiring hearts with malicious-
ness. They carry false reports to the doors of their neighbors, who, as they listen
to the slander, lose the Spirit of God. Not even the messenger of God, who bears
to the people His truth, is spared.
This sin is worse than the sin of Achan. Its influence is not confined to those
who cherish it. It is a root of bitterness, whereby many are defiled. God cannot
bless the church till it is purged of this evil that corrupts minds and spirits, the
souls of those who do not repent and change their course of action.
He who is renewed after the Spirit of Christ will not only love God; he will
love his brethren also. Those who make mistakes are to be dealt with according
to the directions given in the Word of God. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken
in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness;
considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (
Galatians 6:1
).
Plainly and faithfully evil is to be reproved. But let the one who takes up this
work first be sure that he is not himself separated from Christ by evil works. He
must be able to restore the erring in the spirit of meekness. Unless he can do this,
he should not attempt to correct or reprove his brethren, for he will make two evils
in the place of curing one.
Let men be careful how they treat the purchase of the blood of Christ. Let
them not forget the prayer offered by the Saviour just before He left His disciples
for the long struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane. Let them not forget the high
estimate He has placed on human beings by purchasing them at the sacrifice of
His life. There are many who seem willing to wound and bruise the hearts of
their brethren. Are they following the example Christ has left them? Where in the
record of His dealing with men do they find themselves sustained in showing so
little forbearance and patience in dealing with their brethren?...
That which distinguishes Christians from worldlings is the manifestation of
Christlikeness, which by its pure influence cleanses the heart from selfishness.—
Manuscript 52, April 18, 1902
, “Fragments.”
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