"Let the members of the church, as the representatives of Christ, unite in prayer and loving entreaty that the offender may be restored. "
"The Holy Spirit will speak through His servants, pleading with the wanderer to return to God."
"Paul the apostle, speaking by inspiration...says, “As though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20.
"He who rejects this united overture has broken the tie that binds him to Christ, and thus has severed himself from the fellowship of the church."
"Henceforth, said Jesus, “let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”
"But he is not to be regarded as cut off from the mercy of God."
"Let him not be despised or neglected by his former brethren, but be treated with tenderness and compassion, as one of the lost sheep that Christ is still seeking to bring to His fold."
May the Holy Spirit indeed guide each one of us as we address spiritual issues with a brother or sister in Christ. With hearts full of tenderness let us remember and consider how we ourselves would want to be treated.
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1
Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy [redemption],*
Didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master,
My heart shall be Thy throne,
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.
2
Living for Jesus who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
3
Living for Jesus wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
4
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
Lyrics:Thomas Obediah Chisholm (1866-1960)
Music:Carl Harold Lowden (1883-1963)