p. 37 | LOVE by J. E. Evans

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 15, 1901

LOVE

By J. E. Evans

J. E. EVANS (Los Angeles, Cal.)

LOVE is the ruling power in heaven, for God is love. This enduring power is displayed in every provision God has made for all animate creation; and peace and joy can dwell only where it is allowed free sway. When it becomes a vital principle in our lives, darkness is swallowed up by God’s light and glory.

Before we can love our fellow creatures, we must love that which is the common rule of all creation. “Great peace have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them.” Ps. 119: 165.

To love the law of God is to love God; for His law is simply His character given to us in the written word; and Christ is also God’s character, given to us as a living expression of the Father’s love. Therefore the Saviour said to the young man inquiring the way to eternal life: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, . . . and thy neighbor as thyself.” Luke 10: 27. This, and this alone, is life. “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in DEATH.” I John 3:14.

There may be so much of self hidden in our hearts that we see more faults in our neighbor than in ourselves, and therefore, trying to be logical, love ourselves the most. This is self-righteousness, and we shall so see it if we follow on to know the Lord.

Peter admonishes us to add to brotherly kindness charity. 2 Peter 1: 7. And Paul says: “Let brotherly love continue.” Heb. 13: 1. “Follow after charity” (1 Cor. 14: 1); “put on charity” (Col. 3: 14); and “let all your things be done with charity.” 1 Cor. 16: 14.

The capabilities with which I may be endowed; the possibilities of earthly or heavenly wisdom; all faith; the giving of all my earthly possessions to feed the poor; even the offering of my body as a sacrifice,—all these “profiteth me nothing” without this benign attribute of God. Yea, more, “I am nothing,” but “am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”

Love is the great thing that fits us as ambassadors for Christ. Without it we can not work successfully for others.