Thematic Bible: To backsliders
Thematic Bible
Mercy » Should be shown » To backsliders
I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before thee; I am no longer worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and went to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Sufficient for such a one is this punishment, which was inflicted by the many; so that on the contrary ye ought rather to forgive, and console him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you to confirm your love toward him.