This was an inquiry suitable enough in the lips of a murderer—but most unsuitable and inconsistent from a Christian.
Love should induce us to WATCH over one another.
We are brought into fellowship for the very purpose of being keepers of each other. We are to watch over our brethren and admonish and reprove them as circumstances may require.
I do not mean that we should pry into each other's secrets, or be busy-bodies in other men's matters—for that is forbidden by God and abominable in the sight
of man.
Much less are they to assume authority over each other, and act the part of proud and tyrannical inquisitors.
But still we are to "exhort one another daily, lest any be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."
We are not to allow sin to be committed, or duty to be omitted by a brother, without affectionately admonishing him.
What can be more incumbent, more obligatory, than this?
Can we indeed love anyone, and at the same time see him do that which we know will
injure him—without entreating him to desist?
Brethren, if any man is overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness.
Let us then take heed against that Cain-like spirit which is too prevalent in our churches, and which leads many to act as if their fellow-members were no more
to them than the stranger at the ends of the earth.
I know no duty more neglected than this. It is one of the most prevailing defects of Christians.
Many a backslider would have been prevented from going far astray, if, in the very first stages of his declension, some brother, who had observed his critical state, had
faithfully and affectionately admonished and warned him.
What shame, and anguish, and disgrace, would the offender himself have been spared, and what dishonor and scandal would have been averted from the church—by this one act of faithful love!
I am aware it is a difficult and self-denying duty, but that cannot excuse its neglect.
Neglect of it violates the law of Christ. Love will enable us to perform it.
~John Angell James~