If we would so love all saints as to please God, we must bear in mind that their names are written in heaven and on Christ’s heart; otherwise we shall love some because they are lovely, and dislike others because of their blemishes.
We only know the heart and thoughts of others by proof of word or deed. If a brother wound us, we should first hear him, and hear him thoroughly, before we judge him to be in fault; but in many cases we may find ourselves not less to blame than our brother.
The “more excellent way” is love, which beareth all things, hopeth all things, imputeth no evil. Nevertheless, if love see a fault, love will reprove in faithfulness the fault it sees. I say sees, for love is discerning, and love is faithful. I cannot but deal in such faithfulness with all my brethren, and entreat them to smite me in like manner, which, indeed, is to anoint my head with “excellent oil.” (Ps. 141:5.)
If we delight in God’s glory, we shall delight to honour those whom God honours, and shall ourselves be no losers thereby.
Justice and Judgement
Every man stands before God on the ground of justice. The unregenerate sinner stands in his own name, and obtains death, “the wages of sin:” the believing sinner stands in the name of Jesus; and because sin was borne by the Lord Jesus, and justice satisfied, has everlasting life.
As deeds and thoughts of wicked men do now appear to the all-seeing eye of God, so will He represent them to their memory and conscience at the great day: the offender will be chief witness against himself.
The children of God enter heaven, not by sufferance, but by right and title: the justice of God demands it, because Christ has died and is risen.
The justice of God can never show mercy where sin is imputed. No mercy, therefore, was shown to Christ. As the sinner’s Surety He drank the cup of vengeance to the dregs; and now the cup He gives us overflows with blessings.
Christ never keeps a man outside who knocks at His door; but those who will not come as beggars, who are blinded by pride, self-will, and unbelief,—how can they complain if sent empty away?