p. 102 | Christian Love by L. Lawson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 14, 1871

Christian Love.

By L. Lawson

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.” Eph. 5: 1, 2.

How affectionately the apostle addresses the Ephesians when he commands them to walk in love! This language is recorded for the benefit of every professed follower of Jesus; and if appreciated by them and reduced to practice, it will prove equally beneficial to all. May the Lord help each one of us to be followers of God as dear children, and walk in love, as Christ has loved us. This love, indeed, was great; so strong was it, that he gave himself as an offering for us. He tasted death for us; he reconciled us unto his Father and our Father; and now we can choose obedience or disobedience. Will we not, then, yield obedience to God, and walk in love as our Saviour has loved us? Will we not, at least, make an effort in that direction?

If our love for one another and the cause of God is so strong that we will be willing to give ourselves for that cause and one another, God will accept it as a sweet-smelling savor. Then let us follow our blessed Saviour, and thus “be followers of God as dear children.” Although many of our associates, who remain unconverted, may give us cause to fear that we may be persecuted, let us remember that Jesus has gone before, and marked the way with his own precious blood, and we cannot be mistaken as long as we see the guide-posts which he has set up along the way. Although there may be, even, brethren and sisters who are cold-hearted, and act indifferently toward one another, let us remember that it is because they have not the mind of Christ. Let us read carefully Ephesians 5, and try to reduce to practice all the good advice therein contained.

That we are living in the last days is unmistakably true. Signs are continually thickening around that are to usher in the coming of Jesus. We need much of the Spirit of God to aid us in the work of overcoming, and to help us to live consistent lives, that we may not become stumbling-blocks to sinners. Let us walk in love, and thus exert a good influence over those with whom we are surrounded, that they, seeing our good works, may be led to embrace the truth, and finally, if faithful, be saved in Christ’s everlasting and peaceful kingdom.

L. LAWSON.

Livingston Co., Ill.