1 John 4:8
He that loveth not knoweth not God.
The distinguishing mark of a Christian is his confidence in the love of Christ, and the yielding of his affections to Christ in return. First, faith sets her seal upon the man by enabling the soul to say with the apostle, "Christ loved me and gave Himself for me." Then love gives the countersign, and stamps upon the heart gratitude and love to Jesus in return. "We love Him because He first loved us." In those grand old ages, which are the heroic period of the Christian religion, this double mark was clearly to be seen in all believers in Jesus; they were men who knew the love of Christ, and rested upon it as a man leaneth upon a staff whose trustiness he has tried. The love which they felt towards the Lord was not a quiet emotion which they hid within themselves in the secret chamber of their souls, and which they only spake of in their private assemblies when they met on the first day of the week, and sang hymns in honour of Christ Jesus the crucified, but it was a passion with them of such a vehement and all-consuming energy, that it was visible in all their actions, spoke in their common talk, and looked out of their eyes even in their commonest glances. Love to Jesus was a flame which fed upon the core and heart of their being; and, therefore, from its own force burned its way into the outer man, and shone there. Zeal for the glory of King Jesus was the seal and mark of all genuine Christians. Because of their dependence upon Christ's love they dared much, and because of their love to Christ they did much, and it is the same now. The children of God are ruled in their inmost powers by love-the love of Christ constraineth them; they rejoice that divine love is set upon them, they feel it shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto them, and then by force of gratitude they love the Saviour with a pure heart, fervently. My reader, do you love Him? Ere you sleep give an honest answer to a weighty question!
9 comments:
The Bilbe Says Love God with all your mind soul and body, I fall so short of that. God help me to get there.
Maryb
If everyone loved God the way they are suppose to. this world would be a different place.
Maryb
maryb: We all need more love, which is the fruit of the Spirit's work in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). Holy Spirit, produce in us your love...that we might love you more and love one another as Jesus commanded.
Amen Okie that we may love one another.
Okie, I hope this post means you are feeling better.
I have heard it said that the apostle John, when he was an old, old man, would be taken to different churches to speak. He would just tell them all - "love one another". That was his whole message.
Sometimes I think it is easy to love Christ, but not so easy to love some of my brothers/sisters in the Lord. But John would say "If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also." I John 4:20-21.
I find I can only do that - when I am walking in the Spirit, when I am abiding in Christ, then love is as natural as breathing.
Blessings,
BMR
BMR: You are so right; the fruit of the Spirit is ... love. So the only way we can love is if we are abiding in Him and allowing Him to produce His fruit within us.
I have heard that extra-biblical story of John as well. It goes on to say that the people wanted to know why John always said "love one another." They wanted something new from the Lord. To which John replied, "When you get that right, I'll give you something new."
Okie,
I had not heard that additional part; thanks for the enlightenment!
BMR
LOVE. God is embodied in this word. But most often, we choose to hate. Why is that? It is because it's so much easier to do. When you hate, there is no emotional struggle. You don't even need a reason. With love, you have to look at somebody with a different point of view, a different perception...and accept that person as he/she is. completely. it is almost an impossible thing to do. That is why when LOVE is present in your heart, God is also there. To make that which seems impossible...possible.
Anonymous: You are right..we chose to love or we choose to hate. God help us make the right choices...
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