p. 17 | The Love of Christ Constraineth Us by E. M. GRAHAM

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 6, 1914

The Love of Christ Constraineth Us

By E. M. GRAHAM

WHEN writing to the Corinthians about his work, Paul gives us the reason for his zeal: “For the love of Christ constraineth us.” 2 Cor. 5:14. The love of Christ dwelling in his heart was so strong that it compelled him to labor untiringly, in season and out of season, through suffering and privation, to manifest to men and women the love of God and to tell about the gift of his only Son for them. The evidence of Paul’s love for Christ was his consuming zeal for the salvation of souls.

What is the evidence of our love for Christ? By what may the world know that we are really the people of God? It is not sufficient that we call ourselves the chosen people of God. Other denominations do that, too. There must be something that will prove our claim. As a people we point to events in our history and work that are fulfillments of prophecy, and claim them as evidence

that this movement is of God. But what is it that proves that any individual is really a part of this movement?

Here is a quotation that shows what kind of people do not belong to the people of God: “There will be no idler, no slothful one who neglects the work of the Lord, found inside the kingdom of heaven.”—“An Appeal to Our Churches,” page 13. Here it is plainly stated that to neglect the work of God is to be excluded from any part with God’s people. Such ones have shown, by their indifference to the souls for whom Christ died, that they do not love him. If they did, the love of Christ would constrain them to seek and save the lost. “Unfaithfulness to the cause of Christ makes manifest that love is lacking in the human agent. It was the love of Christ that constrained him to come and seek and save that which was lost; but the love of Christ does not seem to constrain those who profess his name, for a deathlike slumber is upon the human agents, and the work is hindered by the failure of the human to cooperate with the divine.”—Id., page 20.

In this there is a solemn warning to every Sabbath keeper. It shows us that if we find we are losing that constraining, compelling love of Christ, we are drifting away from him. If we desire to know that we truly love Christ, let us see if we love the souls for whom he died. “He that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” 1 John 4:20.

Jesus has shown his love for us in countless ways. We are continually surrounded by fresh evidences of his loving care for us. We become so accustomed to these that it takes some unusual manifestation to arouse our gratitude. What do we do to show our love to him? What he expects us to do is shown in these words: “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matt. 25:40.

E. M. GRAHAM.