So much of what it
means to live for Jesus is summed up in the word love. Among other
things, love is an essential ingredient in the recipe for unity among
believers. The body of Christ builds itself up "in love" (Ephesians
4:16). Love is "the bond of perfection"
(Colossians 3:14).
The love which binds
us together is more than mere feeling or sentiment. It is a powerful
force which inspires us to behave in specific ways
(cf. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8).
Because love "does not
rejoice in iniquity," one thing it compels us to do is to correct the
errors of those whom we love.
Galatians 6:1-2
commands the following: "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any
trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of
gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one
another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
In Galatians we are
shown that "the law of Christ" is as a law rooted in love. Paul asserts
that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything "but faith
working through love"
(5:6). "Through
love" we "serve one another"
(5:13). "All
the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as thyself"
(5:14). And,
"the fruit of the Spirit is love. . ."
(5:22). The
point is that the law of Christ is a law of love and we fulfill it by
bearing one another's burdens, including helping one another overcome
sin.
Paul exemplified this
spirit of love in his dealings with the Corinthians. In his first
letter to them, he severely rebuked the Corinthians for their errors. In
his second letter, he explained that "out of much affliction and
anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be
grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly
for you"
(2
Corinthians 2:4).
He spoke so openly to them because his heart was "enlarged
(2
Corinthians 6:11).
His heart was swelling with love for the Corinthians, and he could not
bear to see them lose their souls.
More than anything
else, we need hearts enlarged with such love - love that refuses to sit
idly by and watch as brothers and sisters in Christ are overcome with
sin. "And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love
will cover a multitude of sins'"
(1
Peter 4:8). It
should be noted that this passage does not say that love covers sins by
ignoring them. Love "covers a multitude of sins" by encouraging the
sinner to repent, and by readily forgiving him when he does. "Let him
know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a
soul from death and cover a multitude of sins"
(James 5:20).
Is your heart big
enough to restore your fallen brother or sister?
Other Articles by Steve Klein
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