Our Liberty In Christ by Philip Mauro

means or another to sur­pass, and also the “envying” of those who surpass us. It is evident that to deny completely, and live in opposition to, the primal impulses and cravings of the human heart, is possible only to one who has received the new nature and is walking in the Spirit. This verse alone shows that “the law of Christ” is a heavenly thing, superlatively high above even the law of Moses; although in reality it is but the unfolding of the inner meaning of the words “Thou shalt love thy neighour as thyself.”

There are many passages in other Epistles of like im­port to the above; such as “Let nothing be done, through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each es­teem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Phil.

2:3, 4). Let it sink into our hearts that these are “commandments of the Lord” which we are to obey; and that although the fulfilment of them is impossible to the natural man (the “flesh”), God is the God of Abraham, the God who quickens the dead, and He has given to the children of God His Holy Spirit for the very purpose of doing in us that which the law could not do (Rom. 8:1-4).

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth him­self” (Gal. 6:1-3).

It is a most solemn matter to approach a fellow saint in order to deal with him for a fault; and in no task that comes in our way is there more need for grace and spirit­uality. By this Scripture we are again brought face to face with one of our strongest natural tendencies, namely, the tendency to censure and condemn the brother who is overtaken in a fault. By the law of Christ the “spiritual” saints (none other are fit to deal with such a matter at all) are required to restore the erring one (see James 5: 19, 20). This forcibly reminds us that we are in a king­dom in which “grace reigns,” and whereof forgiveness without limit is the chief characteristic. It reminds us also that we are so united together in one family and fel­lowship that the wrong-doing of one is the concern of all; and that it is in the interest of the entire household of faith to seek the restoration of the wrongdoer.

An erring brother is to be urged lovingly to seek God’s mercy and favor through confession, repentance, and (if the case demand it) restitution, His duty must be brought to his notice “in a spirit of meekness”; and a very signifi­cant clause is added, “considering thyself lest thou also be