The Proof of Love by Epsilon

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 4, 1883

The Proof of Love.

By Epsilon

LOVE, like faith, must be proved by works or deeds. The apostle John says: "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed, and in truth." 1 John 3 : 18. To love in deed is to prove our love by our deeds; and to love in truth is to seek the truth and cling to it.

In reading this epistle (1 John) we should distinguish between commandment (singular) "That we should believe on his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another," and commandments (plural). By commandments (plural) the apostle means the ten commandments; for he says: "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3 : 4. And again he says: "Whosoever abideth in him [God] sinneth not." 1 John 3 : 6. Or in other words, whosoever abideth in him keepeth his commandments or his law. "For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5 : 3. Again, "All unrighteousness is sin." 1 John 5 : 17. But what is sin? "Sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3 : 4.

It puzzles me exceedingly that any one can persuade himself that he is a sincere Bible Christian and also claim that the code of ten commandments has been abolished. Epsilon.