Loving and Doing | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 10, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 15.

Loving and Doing.

It is a well-known fact that those who love others the most intensely, and with the most devoted affection, do not manifest their affection alone or principally in a personal fondness. They embody it in a life of devotion to the well-being of those they love, in doing what they think will please them. On the contrary, there are those who make the loudest protestations of affection, and who display a foolish, external, and almost animal fondness; but they will make no sacrifice of their own interests; they will do nothing for those they pretend to love. They are lavish of words and looks, but sparing of real service. They show that their affection is only in the lips and looks, while they may be cold, selfish, and cruel in their conduct. In like manner, those who love the Lord most devotedly are those who generally say the least about it. They manifest their love in trying to do His will, while others who go into the most ecstatic and rapturous expressions of affection, may defraud their neighbor in a bargain, defame his character, and be miserly and revengeful in their conduct. They can say Lord, Lord, but they will not do the things which he commands.—Sel.