The Acts of the Apostles (1911) — PDF Scan 561

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A FAITHFUL WITNESS 555 cially from tliose who profess sanctification. But true cliarity is too pure to cover an unconfessed sin. While we are to love the souls for whom Christ died, we are to make no compromise with evil. We are not to unite with the rebellious, and call this charity. God requires His people in this age of the world to stand for the right as unflinchingly as did John in opposition to soul-destroying errors. The apostle teaches that while we should manifest Christian courtesy, we are authorized to deal in plain terms with sin and sinners ; that this is not inconsistent with true charity. "Whosoever committeth sin," he writes, " transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinnetli not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him." As a witness for Christ, John entered into no controversy, no wearisome contention. He declared what he knew, what he had seen and heard. He had been intimately associated with Christ, had listened to His teachings, had witnessed His mighty miracles. Few could see the beauties of Christ's character as John saw them. For him the darkness had passed away; on him the true light was shining. His testimony in regard to the Saviour's life and death was clear and forcible. Out of the abundance of a heart overflowing with love for the Saviour he spoke; and no power could stay his words. "That which was from the beginning," he declared, "which we have heard, which we have seen