"IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS."
By Abbie S. Cox
WHEN we claim to love God, do we love Him with a head knowledge, and in such a way as it is popular with the world to say, "Certainly we love God." Or do we really love Him with all our heart, with all our mind, and with all our strength, as He commands us to do? Christ says, "I am the Vine, ye are the branches." Are we so completely engrafted into the Vine that the life of Christ can so thoroughly circulate through us that we can live and grow as the new buds that spring forth in the thrifty vine in the warm sunlight of summer? Have we the light of the Son of God in our hearts, our words and actions, in our very lives, so that the light will shine out to others to help them on their way to happiness? Of what account are we here if we are not helping some one else? We should each one help many others. We are all teachers in life's great school. We should not be slothful and care only to get saved, and miss the rewards given according to the deeds done in the body. We need not think we can slip along through this life and not set any example for others. I tell you, nay. Others are watching us closely to see if we act out what we profess. O God, help us to watch and pray that we enter not into temptation, or set an ungodly example for others to follow! Do we? Let us turn on the search-light, and examine ourselves and see if the self in us is fully burned out with holy fire. Have we asked God to take the self all out of us, His temples, and fill us with Himself? Have we asked Him to abide and walk in us as He has promised, and live out His life in us, and to let us shine for Him and Him only? Are we willing for Jesus' sake to become as nothing to this world, to be a peculiar people? Are we keeping every commandment of God? He says:— "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:10. Are we more particular about keeping one than all His commands? It is correct and right that we should keep the seventh-day Sabbath holy from sunset to sunset, and not speak our own words or think our own thoughts on His holy day. But it will not please God if we attempt to keep the seventh day holy, and grieve His Holy Spirit by failing to regard some other commandment. Let your communication be as it becometh the saints of God. Let your yea be yea, and your nay be nay, for whatsoever is more than this cometh of evil. "As He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation." 1 Peter 1:15. This means every word, every day, and in all places. Do we so? "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Matt. 5:48. "Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:4. And when ye pray, believe that ye shall receive the things for which ye ask, and they shall be given you; for a wavering man is like the waves of the sea, driven of the winds and tossed; let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. Have we presented our bodies "a living sacrifice [not when we come to die], holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service"? Rom. 12:1. Entire consecration sweeps the whole man into a lively, self-sacrificing, reasonable, holy, acceptable service to God. It is based on God's mercies. Every one should make this unreserved consecration. Have we charity for every one, even in other churches? "The end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned." 1 Tim. 1:5. This is the divine order: (1) A good conscience, (2) faith unfeigned, (3) a pure heart, (4) the charity of the thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians,—the perfect love that perfectly fulfils the law. Are we worrying and fretting ourselves because of the trials and unrighteousness of this life? God says, "Fret not thyself because of evil-doers." Are we casting all our care upon Him; for He careth for us? 1 Peter 5:7. "O, why do you carry your burden alone,
That burden so heavy to bear?
Why under its weight do you labor and groan,
When Jesus is saying in tenderest tone,
My child, cast on Me every care? "Go tell all your troubles; He'll give you relief
Whenever on Him you depend.
This blest 'Man of sorrows, acquainted with grief,'
To the cries of His children will never be deaf,
If only in faith they ascend. "When sickness or pain shall distress He will heal,
Or else give you strength to endure.
For our Saviour, who suffered, will tenderly deal
With His own stricken children if they will but kneel
And ask this Physician to cure. "Then go to Him always, whatever befall,
If sickness or sorrow or care,
If pain should distress you, or sin, tell Him all,
At the foot of the cross humbly, trustingly fall,
And leave every burden right there."
Marietta, O. ABBIE S. COX.