Love will cover a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). This is partly accomplished through forgiveness. Christians forgive because God sent His Son to die so that we might be forgiven (Colossians 2:12-13; Ephesians 4:32).
True love includes a readiness to forgive, like that displayed by Jesus when He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). Of course, they still had to repent, but Jesus had already exhibited a willingness to forgive before they acknowledged their sins and turned away from them by putting Him on in baptism (Acts 2:22-23, 36-38). Love “does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). Stephen exhibited the same characteristic as his Lord when he was being stoned to death. Luke reports that while he was being stoned, “he was calling on God and saying, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin’” (Acts 7:54-60).
Such a forgiving attitude will cause brothers to go in search of their straying brother in hope of getting him to come home to God in repentance. “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 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 5:19-20). Those who are spiritual will humbly seek to restore them and will gladly help to bear their burdens (Galatians 6:1-2). This is especially true of the shepherds who watch over the flock, which is one reason that Christians ought to obey them (Hebrews 13:17).
“And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh” (Jude 22-23). Notice, special care should be taken lest the one seeking to restore a brother is caught in Satan’s web.
