Manifestations of Love by T. GODFREY

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Nov 2, 1911

Manifestations of Love

By T. GODFREY

T. GODFREY

“And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” 1 John 4:21. This text of Scripture is very plain, positive, and complete. It could not be made plainer or more positive. Love is of God, God; for God is love. God is the great fountain from which flows a constant, ceaseless stream of undying love, watering the thirsty, fainting child of God, reviving and refreshing every soul who is longing for greater and higher attainments. The love of God is imparted to God’s children through the operation of the Holy Spirit. “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Rom. 5:5. But, “if a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” 1 John 4:20.

It is evident that a man can not love God and hate his brother, “for love is of God.” A fountain can not send forth sweet and bitter water at the same time. “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John 4:8. And we know that God is true, and in him is no lie. “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is so are we in this world.” 1 John 4:16, 17.

Love is manifested in acts of love, deeds of love; God’s love was manifested in the very act of giving his only begotten Son to die for a lost and ruined world. Says the Inspired Record, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God’s love was manifested in the gift of his dear Son, which was a gift of love. Says the Inspired Word, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9. “Herein is love.” In the act of giving his Son he manifested his love for a fallen world. “Not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10.

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” 1 John 4:11, 12. Love is not manifested simply in feeling and in outward emotion, but in real acts; deeds of goodness, kindness, long-suffering, and mercy. Such are the real manifestations of God’s love.

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18. Said Jesus, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” John 15:12. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13. Christ did more than this. He gave himself for us while we were yet sinners, enemies against God’s government. Says the Inspired Word, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” We were reconciled to God by the death of his Son. Now that we are reconciled to God through the infinite sacrifice of his Son, ought we not to love one another? Says the beloved disciple, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” 1 John 4:7. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Gal. 5:22-24.

Do we as professed children of God possess the characteristics of Christ, “who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature”?

Western, Wash.