We mature Christians are called to restore other Christians that fall into temptation and then sin. But in order to really understand how sin is restored spiritually, the Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, gives us an object lesson that cannot be surpassed.

The saints of God have always committed sin, which is why the Lord Jesus Christ died on Calvary’s Cross that sins might be forgiven. And even Jesus Himself did not preach perfection, but restoration.

It does not matter that which you have done to displease the Lord, because there is no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus. There is only the admonition to start following Jesus’ commandment today. And Jesus’ commandment is to love one another.

The purpose of Biblical love is to facilitate salvation, that men should not perish but have everlasting life. Since none of the attributes of Biblical love are emotions, it is possible to show love to someone for whom you feel no emotion whatsoever, or even someone for whom you feel negative emotion. Love requires us to perform loving actions because of God’s command to do so.

God created us with the capacity to think and to choose, because He desired that His relationship with us be one of mutual love as well. To God, how we choose, rather than what we say, is the essence of our expression of love.

We are to think of those positive things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy. Of course, there are things in life that do not fit the preceding description, but those things that are negative are the things about which we are to supplicate, to pray, to diligently seek the mercy of God to fix and the peace of God to endure.