The Measure of Love by Robert Hare

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 19, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 32.

The Measure of Love.

By Robert Hare

OLD Deacon Jonathan was a man of practical piety, and religion was with him, a thing of every-day life. Much of his time was spent in visiting the sick and needy of his parish. It was on his way to pay one of these visits, that he came in contact with a man who boasted loudly of his religion, and its advantages. "I have had religion," he said, "for the last sixteen years, and it has only cost me twenty cents."

We do not wonder the old deacon was rather puzzled over a religion that could call forth so little sacrifice. Looking at the man, he replied, "I will not say you have not religion, but I will say it is only a twenty-cent religion."

The old deacon was right, and the profession that could call forth no greater sacrifice, may be justly termed a twenty-cent religion.

We find in connection with human history that love has always been measured by actions, and for that friend we really love, nothing will be too great a sacrifice. We might apply this rule and say that the man who professed to love God for sixteen years at the great sacrifice of twenty-cents, only possessed a twenty-cent love. It is an easy thing to make ourselves believe that we have the cause of God at heart, and that we are anxious to see it prosper in the earth. We may even go so far as to believe that we love him sincerely, and yet be like the fig tree that bore nothing but leaves.

How then shall we test our love to God?—Just in the same way that we measure love to our fellow-man,—by our actions. The Master said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments," and the same voice declared, "The Father which has sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak." John 12:49. So when we refuse to keep God's commandments, we mark off before him the measure of our own love. To be a saving love, it must be a perfect love; and that will show itself in perfect obedience. "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments." 1 John 5:3.

If we would learn the measure of God's love let us go to Gethsemane and see the Man of sorrows, as he bows with the burden of a world's transgression. Let us go to Calvary, and see him die, while the heavens are robed in blackness, and the earth trembles in sympathy with her dying Lord; and then read in those lines of pain that mar his kingly brow,— "This I have borne for thee, What hast thou done for me!"

The churches of to-day are cursed with a twenty-cent religion,—"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." We should ever bear in mind, that a religion which will not distinguish us from a sinful world, will never save us in a perishing world.

When the heart is in full sympathy with God and his truth, the question will not be, How little can I do and be religious? but from a heart overflowing with tenderness the strains will rise,— "Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a tribute far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my life, my soul, my all."

R. HARE.