The True Test of Love

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 17, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 23.

The True Test of Love.

THE real hope of the Christian is a far more attractive thing than the indefinite future that many who profess Christianity set before them. There are many whose idea of the world to come is a simple hope of freedom from evil; others have the idea of a constant joining in a magnificent chorus of praise to God. But something more attractive to a human being than that is revealed to us. It is a condition of things precisely suited to exercise all the healthy faculties of body, mind, and spirit. Only let this be realized, and from the inmost depths of your heart you may plead with God, “thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

But let us recollect that if our study of the future thus produces such an intensity of longing worthy of the name, it will be a longing that will improve our daily character now. All truth sanctifies, but there is no portion of truth that is more thoroughly suited to sanctify than that which suggests to men what the home of the perfect may be, and that their perfection will be in the midst of that home. It will be a perfect population, ruled by a perfect King.

Just in proportion as the sanctifying power of the Spirit is felt now, there is, indeed, a true and genuine affection toward Him, who will then be the glorious King, adorned and praised by all, so that the crowns that he has won for them shall be cast at his feet, with the everlasting song, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.”

How do we know we are ready for the Lord’s appearing but by having experience of present affection towards him? “If a man love me, he will keep my words.” Just in proportion as we find that, out of love to Christ, and drawing out of the power of his grace from day to day, we have our lamps trimmed and burning, and our loins girt, like men waiting for their Master, and are striving to be found diligent in doing his work when he comes; just in that proportion we have the proof that we are amongst those who really love his appearing.—London Christian.