All Comprehending Love

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Apr 1, 1913

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 40, No. 13.

All Comprehending Love

LOVE comprehends the all of the character of God. His justice and mercy are but constituent elements, perfectly blended. “God is love,” and “he that loveth not, knoweth not God.” 1 John 4:8. Yet on the contrary, “every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” Verse 7. “Therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom. 13:10); that is, the doing of it; “for this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3.

Love is often spoken of as one of the fruits of the Spirit; whereas it is the fruit. For “the fruit [singular] of the Spirit is love;” and “joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith [or, rather, faithfulness], meekness, temperance,” are all but manifestations and characteristics of love. Such love, obedient love (and there is no other true love exercised by a loyal subject, servant, or son), will give boldness in the day of judgment; for “there is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.” It all comes through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. “We love Him because He first loved us.”