Love
One Another
“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.
“By this we
know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his
commandments.” 1 John 5:2
"But I say
unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that
hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute
you." Matthew 5:44
"But I say
unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you"
Luke 6:27
Love One Another
Review and Herald
June 5, 1888
E. G. White
“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.” These words are not the words of man, but the words of our Redeemer;
and how important it is that we fulfill the instruction that he has given!
There is nothing that can so weaken the influence of the church, as the lack of
love. Christ says, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves:
be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” If we are to meet
opposition from our enemies, who are represented as wolves, let us be careful
that we do not manifest the same spirit among ourselves. The enemy well knows
that if we do not have love one for another, he can gain his object, and wound
and weaken the church, by causing differences among brethren. He can lead them
to surmise evil, to speak evil, to accuse, condemn, and hate one another. In
this way the cause of God is brought into dishonor, the name of Christ is
reproached, and untold harm is done to the souls of men. {RH June 5, 1888, par. 1}
How
careful we should be, that our words and actions are all in harmony with the
sacred truth that God has committed to us! The people of the world are looking
to us, to see what our faith is doing for our characters and lives. They are
watching to see if it is having a sanctifying effect on our hearts, if we are
becoming changed into the likeness of Christ. They are ready to discover every
defect in our lives, every inconsistency in our actions. Let us give them no
occasion to reproach our faith.
{RH June 5, 1888, par. 2}
It is
not the opposition of the world that will most endanger us; it is the evil
cherished right in our midst that works our most grievous disaster. It is the
unconsecrated lives of half-hearted professors that retard the work of the
truth, and bring darkness upon the church of God. {RH June 5, 1888, par. 3}
There is
no surer way of weakening ourselves in spiritual things, than to be envious,
suspicious of one another, full of fault-finding and evil surmising. “This
wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly,
sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is,
there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is
first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and
good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of
righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” {RH June 5, 1888, par. 4}
God
would have us individually come into that position where he can bestow his love
upon us. He has placed a high value upon man, and has redeemed us by the
sacrifice of his only begotten Son, and we are to see in our fellow-man the
purchase of the blood of Christ. If we have this love one for another, we shall
be growing in love for God and the truth. We have been pained at heart to see
how little love is cherished in our midst. Love is a plant of heavenly origin,
and if we would have it flourish in our hearts, we must cultivate it daily.
Mildness, gentleness, long suffering, not being easily provoked, bearing all
things, enduring all things,—these are the fruits upon the precious tree of
love. {RH June 5, 1888, par. 5}
When you
are associated together, be guarded in your words. Let your conversation be of
such a nature that you will have no need of repentance. “Grieve not the Holy
Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” “A good man
out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil
man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” If the love of the
truth is in your heart, you will talk of the truth. You will talk of the
blessed hope that you have in Jesus. If you have love in your heart, you will
seek to establish and build up your brother in the most holy faith. If a word
is dropped that is detrimental to the character of your friend or brother, do
not encourage this evil-speaking. It is the work of the enemy. Kindly remind
the speaker that the word of God forbids that kind of conversation. We are to
empty the heart of everything that defiles the soul temple, that Christ may dwell within. Our Redeemer has told us how we may reveal
him to the world. If we cherish his Spirit, if we manifest his love to others,
if we guard one another’s interests, if we are kind, patient, forbearing, the
world will have an evidence by the fruits we bear,
that we are the children of God. It is the unity in the church that enables it
to exert a conscious influence upon unbelievers and worldlings.
{RH June 5, 1888, par. 6}
The
church of Christ is spoken of as a holy temple. Says the apostle, “Now
therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the
saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone; in
whom all the building fitly framed together groweth
unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded
together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.” All the followers of
Christ are represented as stones in the temple of God. Every stone, large or
small, must be a living stone, emitting light and fitting into the place
assigned it in the building of God. How thankful we should be that a way has
been opened whereby we may each have a place in the spiritual temple! Will you,
my brethren and sisters, think of these things, study them, talk
of them? It is just in proportion as we appreciate these things that we will
become strong in the service of God, and so be enabled to comply with his
requirements, and to be doers of the words of Christ. {RH June 5, 1888, par. 7}
God does
not want us to place ourselves upon the judgment-seat, and judge each other.
But how frequently this is done! Oh! how careful we
should be lest we judge our brother. We are assured that as we judge, we shall be
judged; that as we mete to others, it shall be
measured to us again. Christ has said: “I say unto you, That
every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the
day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words
thou shalt be condemned.” In view of this, let your words be of such a
character that they will meet the approval of God. When we see errors in
others, let us remember that we have faults graver, perhaps, in the sight of
God, than the fault we condemn in our brother. Instead of publishing his
defects, ask God to bless him, and to help him to overcome his error. Christ
will approve of this spirit and action, and will open the way for you to speak
a word of wisdom that will impart strength and help to him who is weak in the
faith. {RH June 5, 1888, par. 8}
The work
of building one another up in the most holy faith is a blessed work; but the
work of tearing down is a work full of bitterness and sorrow. Christ identifies
himself with his suffering children; for he says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it
unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” If all
would carry out the instruction given by Christ, what love and unity would
exist among his followers! Every heart has its own sorrows and disappointments,
and we should seek to lighten one another’s burdens by manifesting the love of
Jesus to those around us. If our conversation were upon heaven and heavenly
things, evil-speaking would soon cease to have any attraction for us. We would
not then be placing our feet on the enemy’s dangerous ground. We would not then
be entering into temptation, or falling under the power of the evil one. {RH June 5, 1888, par. 9}
Instead
of finding fault with others, let us be critical with ourselves. The question
with each one of us should be, Is my heart right
before God? Will this course of action glorify my Father which is in heaven? If
you have cherished a wrong spirit, let it be banished from the soul. It is your
duty to eradicate from your heart everything that is of a defiling nature;
every root of bitterness should be plucked up, lest others be contaminated by
its baleful influence. Do not allow one poisonous plant to remain in the soil
of your heart. Root it out this very hour, and plant in its stead the plant of
love. Let Jesus be enshrined in the soul.
{RH June 5, 1888, par. 10}
Christ
is our example. He went about doing good. He lived to
bless others. Love beautified and ennobled all his actions, and we are
commanded to follow in his steps. Let us remember that God sent his only
begotten Son to this world of sorrow, to “redeem us from all iniquity, and to
purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Let us seek to
comply with the requirement of God, and fulfill his law. “Love is the
fulfilling of the law,” and He who died that we might live, has given us this
commandment, that we should love one another as he has loved us; and the world
will know that we are his disciples, if we have this love one for another. {RH June 5, 1888, par. 11}