It was Jesus who first proved that love, which in a world given over to force looks the weakest of weapons, is in reality the strongest. Love gains victories which the hard, critical, censorious attitude never gains. The Pharisaic attitude to shamed and broken sinners never had and never has any redeeming power about it. Indeed, it works all the other way and serves only to bind on the fetters of bitterness and despair more securely than ever. “God, I thank you”, said that Pharisee of Jesus’ parable, “that I am not as other men are… even as this publican” (Luke 18:11). That is loveless religion, entirely powerless to bring any souls into the Kingdom. But Jesus loved the publican and by loving him gave him back his manhood and his self-respect, brought he cowed, shamed soul onto his feet again, put the light of hope into his eyes, and saved him. If Peter after his denial had been met with hard censoriousness, in all probability there would never have been a Peter in scripture today. But the love of Jesus, which even after the most terrible failure went on loving him (Mark 16:7; John 21:15), lifted him right out of the fearful pit of his sin and the miry clay of despair and set his feet on the rock again. And here Jesus was a pattern for all his followers forever. Love is not only better than criticism; it is also infinitely more effectual. It is redeeming power.
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