LOVE, THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL by Joseph Harvey Waggoner

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 12, 1869

LOVE, THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL.

By Joseph Harvey Waggoner

DR. CHALMERS closed his sermon on “The Power of the Gospel” with the following words:

“Amid the fruitlessness of every other expedient, when power threatened to crush the heart which it could not soften—when authority lifted its voice, and laid on man an enactment to love which it could not carry—when terror shot its arrows, and they dropped ineffectual from that citadel of the human affections which stood proof against the impression of every one of them—when wrath mustered up its appalling severities, and filled that bosom with despair which it could not fill with the warmth of a confiding attachment—then the kindness of an inviting God was brought to bear on the heart of man, and got an opening through all its mysterious avenues. Goodness did what the nakedness of power could not do. It found its way through all the intricacies of the human constitution, and there, depositing the right principle of repentance, did it establish the only effectual security for the right purposes, and the right fruits of repentance.”

The great mind of Chalmers never grasped a greater thought than this; and, perhaps, no uninspired pen could present it in a better manner than he did. It has its defects; but it is easier to discover faults in the work of another than to do a better work ourselves. Goodness is not peculiar to the gospel; “the law is holy, and just, and good,” in its condemnation of iniquity, though it strikes terror to the heart of the evil-doer. The gospel does not create favor, but only brings us into harmony with the favor which we had forfeited. It does not substitute grace for justice, but enables God to be gracious to the penitent believer and yet maintain justice. Rom. iii, 23-26.

In “Testimony to the Church, No. 16,” is the following paragraph:

“Love is power. Intellectual and moral strength are involved in this principle, and cannot be separated from it. The power of wealth has a tendency to corrupt and destroy, the power of force is strong to do hurt; but the excellence and value of pure love consist in its efficiency to do good, and to do nothing else but good. Whatsoever is done out of pure love, be it ever so little or contemptible in the sight of men, is wholly fruitful; for God measures more with how much love one worketh than the amount he doeth. Love is of God. The unconverted heart cannot originate nor produce this plant of heavenly growth, which lives alone, and flourishes only, where Christ reigns. Love cannot live without action, and every act increases, strengthens, and extends it. Love will prevail and gain the victory when argument and authority are powerless. Love works not for profit nor reward; yet God has ordained that great gain shall be the certain result of every labor of love. It is diffusive in its nature, and quiet in its operation, yet strong and mighty in its purpose to overcome great evils. It is melting and transforming in its influence, and will take hold of the lives of the sinful and affect their hearts, when every other means has proved unsuccessful. Wherever the power of intellect, of authority, or of force, is employed, and love is not manifestly present, the affections and will of those whom we seek to reach assume a defensive, repelling position, and increase their strength of resistance as they are met by another power than love. Jesus was the Prince of Peace. He came into the world to bring resistance and authority into subjection to himself. Wisdom and strength he could command, but the means he employed to overcome evil were the wisdom and strength of love.”

For comprehensiveness, for sublimity of thought and touching simplicity of expression, the above will rarely find a parallel. It will not only bear often reading, but must be so read to be appreciated.

And how truthful its statements! How the small services of love touch our hearts, when greater favors, conferred in a cold manner, do not affect us. How cheering to know that though our talents be few, and our abilities small, a loving heart will insure the acceptance of our service, and secure the approbation of our Father in Heaven. Then let none give up in despair. If we cannot do much, let us strive to love more, and thereby make the little we can do doubly acceptable to God. As often as I have read the above words, I have blessed Heaven for the consolation. Lord, make my love perfect and complete, and then my service shall be right. J. H. WAGGONER.