Love the Foundation of the Law of God and of the Christian's Hope by Paul E. Gros

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 26, 1914

Love the Foundation of the Law of God and of the Christian's Hope

By Paul E. Gros

“THOU shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Matt. 22:37, 39.

Are we willing to receive that love? If we are, the Holy Spirit will impart it, and we shall show in every act and word the same spirit that prompted our blessed Redeemer, “because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.” Rom. 5:5. Then we shall be able to do what he commands in these words: “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” Luke 6:27, 28.

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Matt. 7:12. Our Lord “went about doing good.” Acts 10:38. He came into personal touch with all he could reach.

He denied himself, suffered the cruel, shameful death on the cross, and forgave his murderers. That is the kind of love he would place in our hearts, and have appear in our lives. His last and sweetest command, which includes all the others, says: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34, 35.

Is not the absence of true Christ love among us the cause of the Holy Spirit's being withheld from our midst? The fruit of the Spirit is love, righteousness. See 1 John 4:3: 10. “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Gal. 6:10. The Lord is waiting for us to accept his love, and to show it to others, that he may finish his work and cut it short in righteousness. Rom. 9:28. God is love; and the measure of love we have for our fellows is the measure of our love for God.

Battle Creek, Mich.