Beingtiredaftertheservicesoftheday,ItoldthemtoaskHenryDrummond,whowasoneofthepartyAftersomeurginghedrewasmallTestamentfromhishippocket,openeditatthe13thchapterofICorinthians,andbegantospeakonthesubjectofLove。
ItseemedtomethatIhadneverheardanythingsobeautiful,andIdeterminednottorestuntilIbroughtHenryDrummondtoNorthfieldtodeliverthataddressSincethenIhaverequestedtheprincipalsofschoolstohaveitreadbeforethestudentseveryyearTheonegreatneedinourChristianlifeislove,morelovetoGodandtoeachotherWouldthatwecouldallmoveintothatLovechapter,andlivethere。
Thisvolumecontains,inadditiontotheaddressonLove,someotheraddresseswhichItrustwillbringhelpandblessingtomany。
Love:TheGreatestThingintheWorldEveryonehasaskedhimselfthegreatquestionofantiquityasofthemodernworld:Whatisthe\'summumbonum\'——thesupremegood?
YouhavelifebeforeyouOnceonlyyoucanliveitWhatisthenoblestobjectofdesire,thesupremegifttocovet?
WehavebeenaccustomedtobetoldthatthegreatestthinginthereligiousworldisFaithThatgreatwordhasbeenthekey-noteforcenturiesofthepopularreligion;andwehaveeasilylearnedtolookuponitasthegreatestthingintheworldWell,wearewrongIfwehavebeentoldthat,wemaymissthemarkInthe13thchapterofICorinthians,PaultakesustoChristianityatitssource;
andtherewesee,\"thegreatestoftheseislove。\"
ItisnotanoversightPaulwasspeakingoffaithjustamomentbeforeHesays,\"IfIhaveallfaith,sothatIcanremovemountains,andhavenotlove,Iamnothing。\"Sofarfromforgetting,hedeliberatelycontraststhem,\"NowabidethFaith,Hope,Love,\"
andwithoutamoment\'shesitationthedecisionfalls,\"ThegreatestoftheseisLove。\"
AnditisnotprejudiceAmanisapttorecommendtoothershisownstrongpointLovewasnotPaul\'sstrongpointTheobservingstudentcandetectabeautifultendernessgrowingandripeningallthroughhischaracterasPaulgetsold;butthehandthatwrote\"Thegreatestoftheseislove,\"whenwemeetitfirst,isstainedwithblood。
NoristhislettertotheCorinthianspeculiarinsinglingoutloveasthe\"summumbonum。\"ThemasterpiecesofChristianityareagreedaboutitPetersays,\"Aboveallthingshaveferventloveamongyourselves。\"ABOVEALLTHINGSAndJohngoesfarther,\"Godislove。\"
YouremembertheprofoundremarkwhichPaulmakeselsewhere,\"Loveisthefulfillingofthelaw。\"Didyoueverthinkwhathemeantbythat?InthosedaysmenwereworkingthepassagetoHeavenbykeepingtheTenCommandments,andthehundredandtenothercommandmentswhichtheyhadmanufacturedoutofthemChristcameandsaid,\"IwillshowyouamoresimplewayIfyoudoonething,youwilldothesehundredandtenthings,withouteverthinkingaboutthemIfyouLOVE,youwillunconsciouslyfulfillthewholelaw。\"
YoucanreadilyseeforyourselveshowthatmustbesoTakeanyofthecommandments\"ThoushalthavenoothergodsbeforeMe。\"
IfamanloveGod,youwillnotrequiretotellhimthatLoveisthefulfillingofthatlaw\"TakenotHisnameinvain。\"WouldheeverdreamoftakingHisnameinvainifhelovedhim?\"RemembertheSabbathdaytokeepitholy。\"Wouldhenotbetoogladtohaveonedayinseventodedicatemoreexclusivelytotheobjectofhisaffection?LovewouldfulfillalltheselawsregardingGod。
Andso,ifhelovedman,youwouldneverthinkoftellinghimtohonorhisfatherandmotherHecouldnotdoanythingelse。
ItwouldbepreposteroustotellhimnottokillYoucouldonlyinsulthimifyousuggestedthatheshouldnotsteal——howcouldhestealfromthoseheloved?ItwouldbesuperfluoustobeghimnottobearfalsewitnessagainsthisneighborIfhelovedhimitwouldbethelastthinghewoulddoAndyouwouldneverdreamofurginghimnottocovetwhathisneighborshadHewouldrathertheypossessitthanhimselfInthisway\"Loveisthefulfillingofthelaw。\"Itistheruleforfulfillingallrules,thenewcommandmentforkeepingalltheoldcommandments,Christ\'sone。
SecretoftheChristianlife。
NowPaulhaslearnedthat;andinthisnobleeulogyhehasgivenusthemostwonderfulandoriginalaccountextantofthe\"summumbonum。\"WemaydivideitintothreepartsInthebeginningoftheshortchapterwehaveLoveCONTRASTED;intheheartofit,wehaveLoveANALYZED;towardtheend,wehaveLoveDEFENDEDasthesupremegift。
ITheContrast。
PaulbeginsbycontrastingLovewithotherthingsthatmeninthosedaysthoughtmuchofIshallnotattempttogooverthesethingsindetailTheirinferiorityisalreadyobvious。
HecontrastsitwithELOQUENCEAndwhatanoblegiftitis,thepowerofplayinguponthesoulsandwillsofmen,androusingthemtoloftypurposeandholydeeds!Paulsays,IfIspeakwiththetonguesofmenandofangels,andhavenotlove,Iambecomesoundingbrass,oratinklingcymbal。\"WeallknowwhyWehaveallfeltthebrazennessofwordswithoutemotion,thehollowness,theunaccountableunpersuasiveness,ofeloquencebehindwhichliesnoLove。
HecontrastsitwithPROPHECYHecontrastsitwithMYSTERIES。
HecontrastsitwithFAITHHecontrastsitwithCHARITYWhyisLovegreaterthanfaith?BecausetheendisgreaterthanthemeansAndwhyisitgreaterthancharity?Becausethewholeisgreaterthanthepart。
LoveisgreaterthanFAITH,becausetheendisgreaterthanthemeansWhatistheuseofhavingfaith?ItistoconnectthesoulwithGodAndwhatistheobjectofconnectingmanwithGod?
ThathemaybecomelikeGodButGodisLoveHenceFaith,themeans,isinordertoLove,theendLove,therefore,obviouslyisgreaterthanfaith\"IfIhaveallfaith,soastoremovemountains,buthavenotlove,Iamnothing。\"
ItisgreaterthanCHARITY,again,becausethewholeisgreaterthanapartCharityisonlyalittlebitofLove,oneoftheinnumerableavenuesofLove,andtheremayevenbe,andthereis,agreatdealofcharitywithoutLoveItisaveryeasythingtotossacoppertoabeggaronthestreet;itisgenerallyaneasierthingthannottodoitYetLoveisjustasofteninthewithholdingWepurchaserelieffromthesympatheticfeelingsrousedbythespectacleofmisery,atthecopper\'scostItistoocheap——toocheapforus,andoftentoodearforthebeggarIfwereallylovedhimwewouldeitherdomoreforhim,orlessHence,\"IfIbestowallmygoodstofeedthepoor,buthavenotloveitprofitethmenothing。\"
ThenPaulcontrastsitwithSACRIFICEandmartyrdom:\"IfIgivemybodytobeburned,buthavenotlove,itprofitethmenothing。\"
MissionariescantakenothinggreatertotheheathenworldthantheimpressandreflectionoftheLoveofGodupontheirowncharacter。
ThatistheuniversallanguageItwilltakethemyearstospeakinChinese,orinthedialectsofIndiaFromthedaytheyland,thatlanguageofLove,understoodbyall,willbepouringforthitsunconsciouseloquence。
Itisthemanwhoisthemissionary,itisnothiswordsHischaracterishismessageIntheheartofAfrica,amongthegreatLakes,Ihavecomeacrossblackmenandwomenwhorememberedtheonlywhitemantheyeversawbefore——DavidLivingstone;andasyoucrosshisfootstepsinthatdarkcontinent,Men\'sfaceslightupAstheyspeakofthekinddoctorwhopassedthereyearsagoTheycouldnotunderstandhim;buttheyfeltthelovethatbeatinhisheartTheyknewthatitwaslove,althoughhespokenoword。
Takeintoyoursphereoflabor,whereyoualsomeantolaydownyourlife,thatsimplecharm,andyourlifeworkmustsucceedYoucantakenothinggreater,youneedtakenothinglessYoumaytakeeveryaccomplishment;youmaybebracedforeverysacrifice;
butifyougiveyourbodytobeburned,andhavenotLove,itwillprofityouandthecauseofChristNOTHING。
IITheAnalysisAftercontrastingLovewiththesethings,Paul,inthreeverses,veryshort,givesusanamazinganalysisofwhatthissupremethingis。
IaskyoutolookatitItisacompoundthing,hetellsusItislikelightAsyouhaveseenamanofsciencetakeabeamoflightandpassitthroughacrystalprism,asyouhaveseenitcomeoutontheothersideoftheprismbrokenupintoitscomponentcolors——red,andblue,andyellow,andviolet,andorange,andallthecolorsoftherainbow——soPaulpassesthisthing,Love,throughthemagnificentprismofhisinspiredintellect,anditcomesoutontheothersidebrokenupintoitselements。
InthesefewwordswehavewhatonemightcallThespectrumofLove,theanalysisofloveWillyouobservewhatitselementsare?
Willyounoticethattheyhavecommonnames;thattheyarevirtueswhichwehearabouteveryday;thattheyarethingswhichcanbepractisedbyeverymanineveryplaceinlife;andhow,byamultitudeofsmallthingsandordinaryvirtues,thesupremething,the\"summumbonum,\"ismadeup?
TheSpectrumofLovehasnineingredients:
Patience\"Lovesufferethlong。\"
Kindness\"Andiskind。\"
Generosity\"Loveenviethnot。\"
Humility\"Lovevauntethnotitself,isnotpuffedup。\"
Courtesy\"Dothnotbehaveitselfunseemly。\"
Unselfishness\"Seekethnotitsown。\"
Goodtemper\"Isnotprovoked。\"
Guilelessness\"Takethnotaccountofevil。\"
Sincerity\"Rejoicethnotinunrighteousness,butrejoicethwiththetruth。\"
Patience;kindness;generosity;humility;courtesy;unselfishness;
goodtemper;guilelessness;sincerity——thesemakeupthesupremegift,thestatureoftheperfectman。
Youwillobservethatallareinrelationtomen,inrelationtolife,inrelationtotheknownto-dayandthenearto-morrow,andnottotheunknowneternityWehearmuchoflovetoGod;ChristspokemuchoflovetomanWemakeagreatdealofpeacewithheaven;
ChristmademuchofpeaceonearthReligionisnotastrangeoraddedthing,buttheinspirationofthesecularlife,thebreathingofaneternalspiritthroughthistemporalworldThesupremething,inshort,isnotathingatall,butthegivingofafurtherfinishtothemultitudinouswordsandactswhichmakeupthesumofeverycommonday。
PATIENCEThisisthenormalattitudeoflove;Lovepassive,lovewaitingtobegin;notinahurry;calm;readytodoitsworkwhenthesummonscomes,butmeantimewearingtheornamentofameekandquietspiritLovesufferslong;bearethallthings;believethallthings;hopethallthingsForLoveunderstands,andthereforewaits。
KINDNESSLoveactiveHaveyouevernoticedhowmuchofChrist\'slifewasspentindoingkindthings——inMERELYdoingkindthings?
Runoveritwiththatinview,andyouwillfindthatHespentagreatproportionofHistimesimplyinmakingpeoplehappy,inDoinggoodturnstopeopleThereisonlyonethinggreaterthanhappinessintheworld,andthatisholiness;anditisnotinourkeeping;butwhatGodHASputinourpoweristhehappinessofthoseaboutus,andthatislargelytobesecuredbyourbeingkindtothem。
\"Thegreatestthing,\"sayssomeone,\"amancandoforhisHeavenlyFatheristobekindtosomeofHisotherchildren。\"Iwonderwhyitisthatwearenotallkinderthanweare?Howmuchtheworldneedsit!Howeasilyitisdone!Howinstantaneouslyitacts!Howinfalliblyitisremembered!Howsuperabundantlyitpaysitselfback——forthereisnodebtorintheworldsohonorable,sosuperblyhonorable,asLove\"Loveneverfaileth。\"Loveissuccess,Loveishappiness,Loveislife\"Love,\"IsaywithBrowning,\"isenergyoflife。\"
\"Forlife,withallityieldsofjoyorwoeAndhopeandfear,Isjustourchanceo\'theprizeoflearninglove,——
Howlovemightbe,hathbeenindeed,andis。\"
WhereLoveis,GodisHethatdwellethinLovedwellethinGodGodisLoveThereforeLOVEWithoutdistinction,withoutcalculation,withoutprocrastination,loveLavishituponthepoor,whereitisveryeasy;especiallyupontherich,whooftenneeditmost;mostofalluponourequals,whereitisverydifficult,andforwhomperhapsweeachdoleastofallThereisadifferencebetweenTRYINGTOPLEASEandGIVINGPLEASUREGivepleasure。
Losenochanceofgivingpleasure;forthatistheceaselessandanonymoustriumphofatrulylovingspirit\"IshallpassthroughthisworldbutonceAnygoodthing,therefore,thatIcando,oranykindnessthatIcanshowtoanyhumanbeing,letmedoitnow。
Letmenotdeferitorneglectit,forIshallnotpassthiswayagain。\"
GENEROSITY\"Loveenviethnot。\"ThisisloveincompetitionwithothersWheneveryouattemptagoodworkyouwillfindothermendoingthesamekindofwork,andprobablydoingitbetterEnvythemnotEnvyisafeelingofill-willtothosewhoareinthesamelineasourselves,aspiritofcovetousnessanddetraction。
HowlittleChristianworkevenisaprotectionagainstun-Christianfeeling!ThatmostdespicableofalltheunworthymoodswhichcloudaChristian\'ssoulassuredlywaitsforusonthethresholdofeverywork,unlesswearefortifiedwiththisgraceofmagnanimity。
OnlyonethingtrulyneedtheChristianenvy——thelarge,rich,generoussoulwhich\"enviethnot。\"
Andthen,afterhavinglearnedallthat,youhavetolearnthisfurtherthing,HUMILITY——toputasealuponyourlipsandforgetwhatyouhavedoneAfteryouhavebeenkind,afterLovehasstolenforthintotheworldanddoneitsbeautifulwork,gobackintotheshadeagainandsaynothingaboutitLovehidesevenfromitself。
Lovewaivesevenself-satisfaction\"Lovevauntethnotitself,isnotpuffedup。\"Humility——lovehiding。
Thefifthingredientisasomewhatstrangeonetofindinthis\"summumbonum:\"COURTESYThisisLoveinsociety,Loveinrelationtoetiquette\"Lovedoenotbehaveitselfunseemly。\"
PolitenesshasbeendefinedasloveintriflesCourtesyissaidtobeloveinlittlethingsAndtheonesecretofpolitenessistolove。
LoveCANNOTbehaveitselfunseemlyYoucanputthemostuntutoredpersonsintothehighestsociety,andiftheyhaveareservoirofLoveintheirheartytheywillnotbehavethemselvesunseemly。
TheysimplycannotdoitCarlislesaidofRobertBurnsthattherewasnotruergentlemaninEuropethantheploughman-poetItwasbecausehelovedeverything——themouse,andthedaisy,andallthethings,greatandsmall,thatGodhadmadeSowiththissimplepassporthecouldminglewithanysociety,andentercourtsandpalacesfromhislittlecottageonthebanksoftheAyr。
Youknowthemeaningoftheword\"gentleman。\"Itmeansagentleman——amanwhodoesthingsgently,withloveThatisthewholeartandmysteryofitThegentlemancannotinthenatureofthingsdoanungentle,anungentlemanlythingTheungentlesoul,theinconsiderate,unsympatheticnature,cannotdoanythingelse\"Lovedothnotbehaveitselfunseemly。\"
UNSELFISHNESS\"Loveseekethnotherown。\"Observe:SeekethnoteventhatwhichisherownInBritaintheEnglishmanisdevoted,andrightly,tohisrightsButtherecometimeswhenamanmayexerciseevenThehigherrightofgivinguphisrights。
YetPauldoesnotsummonustogiveupourrightsLovestrikesmuchdeeperItwouldhaveusnotseekthematall,ignorethem,eliminatethepersonalelementaltogetherfromourcalculations。
ItisnothardtogiveupourrightsTheyareofteneternalThedifficultthingistogiveupOURSELVESThemoredifficultthingstillisnottoseekthingsforourselvesatallAfterwehavesoughtthem,boughtthem,wonthem,deservedthem,wehavetakenthecreamoffthemforourselvesalreadyLittlecrossthentogivethemupButnottoseekthem,tolookeverymannotonhisownthings,butonthethingsofothers——thatisthedifficulty。
\"Seekestthougreatthingsforthyself?\"saidtheprophet;\"SEEK
THEMNOT。\"Why?BecausethereisnogreatnessinTHINGSThingscannotbegreatTheonlygreatnessisunselfishloveEvenself-denialinitselfisnothing,isalmostamistakeOnlyagreatpurposeoramightierlovecanjustifythewaste。
Itismoredifficult,Ihavesaid,nottoseekourownatallthan,havingsoughtit,togiveitupImusttakethatbackItisonlytrueofapartlyselfishheartNothingisahardshiptoLove,andnothingishardIbelievethatChrist\'s\"yoke\"iseasy。
Christ\'syokeisjustHiswayoftakinglifeAndIbelieveitisaneasierwaythananyotherIbelieveitisahappierwaythananyotherThemostobviouslessoninChrist\'steachingisthatthereisnohappinessinhavingandgettinganything,butonlyingivingIrepeat,THEREISNOHAPPINESSINHAVINGORINGETTING,BUTONLYINGIVINGHalftheworldisonthewrongscentinthepursuitofhappinessTheythinkitconsistsinhavingandgetting,andinbeingservedbyothersItconsistsingiving,andinservingothers\"Hethatwouldbegreatamongyou,\"saidChrist,\"lethimserve。\"Hethatwouldbehappy,lethimrememberthatthereisbutoneway——\"itismoreblessed,itismorehappy,togivethantoreceive。\"
Thenextingredientisaveryremarkableone:GOODTEMPER\"Loveisnotprovoked。\"
NothingcouldbemorestrikingthantofindthishereWeareinclinedtolookuponbadtemperasaveryharmlessweakness。
Wespeakofitasamereinfirmityofnature,afamilyfailing,amatteroftemperament,notathingtotakeintoveryseriousaccountinestimatingaman\'scharacterAndyethere,rightintheheartofthisanalysisoflove,itfindsaplace;andtheBibleagainandagainreturnstocondemnitasoneofthemostdestructiveelementsinhumannature。
Thepeculiarityofilltemperisthatitistheviceofthevirtuous。
ItisoftentheoneblotonanotherwisenoblecharacterYouknowmenwhoareallbutperfect,andwomenwhowouldbeentirelyperfect,butforaneasilyruffled,quick-tempered,or\"touchy\"
dispositionThiscompatibilityofilltemperwithhighmoralcharacterisoneofthestrangestandsaddestproblemsofethics。
Thetruthis,therearetwogreatclassesofsins——sinsoftheBODY
andsinsoftheDISPOSITIONTheProdigalSonmaybetakenasatypeofthefirst,theElderBrotherofthesecondNow,societyhasnodoubtwhateverastowhichoftheseistheworseItsbrandfalls,withoutachallenge,upontheProdigalButareweright?
Wehavenobalancetoweighoneanother\'ssins,andcoarserandfinerarebuthumanwords;butfaultsinthehighernaturemaybelessvenalthanthoseinthelower,andtotheeyeofHimwhoisLove,asinagainstLovemayseemahundredtimesmorebaseNoformofvice,notworldliness,notgreedofgold,notdrunkennessitself,doesmoretoun-ChristianizesocietythaneviltemperForembitteringlife,forbreakingupcommunities,fordestroyingthemostsacredrelationships,fordevastatinghomes,forwitheringupmenandwomen,fortakingthebloomofchildhood,inshort,Forsheergratuitousmisery-producingpowerthisinfluencestandsalone。
LookattheElderBrother——moral,hard-working,patient,dutiful——lethimgetallcreditforhisvirtues——lookatthisman,thisbaby,sulkingoutsidehisownfather\'sdoor\"Hewasangry,\"weread,\"andwouldnotgoin。\"Lookattheeffectuponthefather,upontheservants,uponthehappinessoftheguestsJudgeoftheeffectupontheProdigal——andhowmanyprodigalsarekeptoutoftheKingdomofGodbytheunlovelycharacterofthosewhoprofesstobeinsideAnalyze,asastudyinTemper,thethunder-clouditselfasitgathersupontheElderBrother\'sbrowWhatisitmadeof?
Jealousy,anger,pride,uncharity,cruelty,self-righteousness,touchiness,doggedness,sullenness——thesearetheingredientsofthisdarkandlovelesssoulInvaryingproportions,also,thesearetheingredientsofallilltemperJudgeifsuchsinsareofthedispositionarenotworsetolivein,andforotherstolivewith,thanthesinsofthebodyDidChristindeednotanswerthequestionHimselfwhenHesaid,\"IsayuntoyouthatthepublicansandtheharlotsgointotheKingdomofHeavenbeforeyou\"?ThereisreallynoplaceinheavenforadispositionlikethisAmanwithsuchamoodcouldonlymakeheavenmiserableforallthepeopleinitExcept,therefore,suchamanbeBornagain,hecannot,simplyCANNOT,enterthekingdomofheaven。
YouwillseethenwhyTemperissignificantItisnotinwhatitisalone,butinwhatitrevealsThisiswhyIspeakofitwithsuchunusualplainnessItisatestforlove,asymptom,arevelationofanunlovingnatureatbottomItistheintermittentfeverwhichbespeaksunintermittentdiseasewithin;theoccasionalbubbleescapingtothesurfacewhichbetrayssomerottennessunderneath;asampleofthemosthiddenproductsofthesouldroppedinvoluntarilywhenoffone\'sguard;inaword,thelightningformofahundredhideousandun-ChristiansinsAwantofpatience,awantofkindness,awantofgenerosity,awantofcourtesy,awantofunselfishness,areallinstantaneouslysymbolizedinoneflashofTemper。
HenceitisnotenoughtodealwiththeTemperWemustgotothesource,andchangetheinmostnature,andtheangryhumorswilldieawayofthemselvessoulsaremadesweetnotbytakingtheacidfluidsout,butbyputtingsomethingin——agreatLove,anewSpirit,theSpiritofChristChrist,theSpiritofChrist,interpenetratingours,sweetens,purifies,transformsallThisonlycaneradicatewhatiswrong,workachemicalchange,renovateandregenerate,andrehabilitatetheinnermanWill-powerdoesnotchangemen。
Timedoesnotchangemen。
Christdoes。
Therefore,\"LetthatmindbeinyouwhichwasalsoinChristJesus。\"
SomeofushavenotmuchtimetoloseRemember,oncemore,thatthisisamatteroflifeordeathIcannothelpspeakingurgently,formyself,foryourselves\"Whososhalloffendoneoftheselittleones,whichbelieveinme,itwerebetterforhimthatamillstonewerehangedabouthisneck,andthatheweredrownedinthedepthofthesea。\"Thatistosay,itisthedeliberateverdictoftheLordJesusthatitisbetternottolivethannottoloveITIS
BETTERNOTTOLIVETHANNOTTOLOVE。
GUILELESSNESSandSINCERITYmaybedismissedalmostwithoutaword。
GuilelessnessisthegraceforsuspiciouspeopleThepossessionofitisThegreatsecretofpersonalinfluence。
Youwillfind,ifyouthinkforamoment,thatthepeoplewhoinfluenceyouarepeoplewhobelieveinyouInanatmosphereofsuspicionmenshrivelup;butinthatatmospheretheyexpand,andfindencouragementandeducativefellowship。
Itisawonderfulthingthathereandthereinthishard,uncharitableworldthereshouldstillbeleftafewraresoulswhothinknoevilthisisthegreatunworldlinessLove\"thinkethnoevil,\"
imputesnomotive,seesthebrightside,putsthebestconstructiononeveryactionWhatadelightfulstateofmindtolivein!Whatastimulusandbenedictioneventomeetwithitforaday!TobetrustedistobesavedAndifwetrytoinfluenceorelevateothers,weshallsoonseethatsuccessisinproportiontotheirbeliefofourbeliefinthemTherespectofanotheristhefirstrestorationoftheself-respectamanhaslost;ouridealofwhatheisbecomestohimthehopeandpatternofwhathemaybecome。
\"Loverejoicethnotinunrighteousness,butrejoicethwiththetruth。\"IhavecalledthisSINCERITYfromthewordsrenderedintheAuthorizedVersionby\"rejoicethinthetruth。\"And,certainly,werethistherealtranslation,nothingcouldbemorejust;forhewholoveswillloveTruthnotlessthanmenHewillrejoiceintheTruth——rejoicenotinwhathehasbeentaughttobelieve;notinthischurch\'sdoctrineorinthat;notinthisismorinthatism;but\"inTHETRUTH。\"Hewillacceptonlywhatisreal;hewillstrivetogetatfacts;hewillsearchforTRUTHwithahumbleandunbiasedmind,andcherishwhateverhefindsatanysacrifice。
ButthemoreliteraltranslationoftheRevisedVersioncallsforjustsuchasacrificefortruth\'ssakehereForwhatPaulreallymeantis,aswethereread,\"Rejoicethnotinunrighteousness,butrejoicethwiththetruth,\"aqualitywhichprobablynooneEnglishword——andcertainlynotSINCERITY——adequatelydefinesItincludes,perhapsmorestrictly,theself-restraintwhichrefusestomakecapitaloutofothers\'faults;thecharitywhichdelightsnotinexposingtheweaknessofothers,but\"coverethallthings\";thesincerityofpurposewhichendeavorstoseethingsastheyare,andrejoicestofindthembetterthansuspicionfearedorcalumnydenounced。
SomuchfortheanalysisofLoveNowthebusinessofourlivesistohavethesethingsfittedintoourcharactersThatisthesupremeworktowhichweneedtoaddressourselvesinthisworld,tolearnLoveIslifenotfullofopportunitiesforlearningLove?EverymanandwomaneverydayhasathousandofthemTheworldisnotaplayground;itisaschoolroomLifeisnotaholiday,butaneducationAndTheoneeternallessonforusallisHOWBETTERWECANLOVE。
Whatmakesamanagoodcricketer?PracticeWhatmakesamanagoodartist,agoodsculptor,agoodmusician?PracticeWhatmakesamanagoodlinguist,agoodstenographer?PracticeWhatmakesamanagoodman?PracticeNothingelseThereisnothingcapriciousaboutreligionWedonotgetthesoulindifferentways,underdifferentlaws,fromthoseinwhichwegetthebodyandthemindIfamandoesnotexercisehisarmhedevelopsnobicepsmuscle;andifamandoesnotexercisehissoul,heacquiresnomuscleinhissoul,nostrengthofcharacter,novigorofmoralfibre,nobeautyofspiritualgrowthLoveisnotathingofenthusiasticemotionItisarich,strong,manly,vigorousexpressionofthewholeroundChristiancharacter——theChristlikenatureinitsfullestdevelopmentAndtheconstituentsofthisgreatcharacterareonlytobebuiltupbyCeaselesspractice。
WhatwasChristdoinginthecarpenter\'sshop?PractisingThoughperfect,wereadthatheLEARNEDobedience,andgrewinwisdomandinfavorwithGodDonotquarrel,therefore,withyourlotinlifeDonotcomplainofitsnever-ceasingcares,itspettyenvironment,thevexationsyouhavetostand,thesmallandsordidsoulsyouhavetoliveandworkwithAboveall,donotresenttemptation;donotbeperplexedbecauseitseemstothickenroundyoumoreandmore,andceasesneitherforeffortnorforagonynorprayerThatisyourpracticeThatisthepracticewhichgodappointsyou;anditishavingitsworkinmakingyoupatient,andhumble,andgenerous,andunselfish,andkind,andcourteousDonotgrudgethehandthatismouldingthestilltooshapelessimagewithinyouItisgrowingmorebeautiful,thoughyouseeitnot;
andeverytouchoftemptationmayaddtoitsperfectionThereforekeepinthemidstoflifeDonotisolateyourselfBeamongmenandamongthings,andamongtroubles,anddifficulties,andobstaclesYourememberGoethe\'swords:\"Talentdevelopsitselfinsolitude;characterinthestreamoflife。\"Talentdevelopsitselfinsolitude——thetalentofprayer,offaith,ofmeditation,ofseeingtheunseen;charactergrowsinthestreamoftheworld\'slifeThatchieflyiswheremenaretolearnlove。
How?Now,how?Tomakeiteasier,IhavenamedafewoftheelementsofloveButtheseareonlyelementsLoveitselfcanneverbedefinedLightisasomethingmorethanthesumofitsingredients——aglowing,dazzling,tremulousetherAndloveissomethingmorethanallitselements——apalpitating,quivering,sensitive,livingthingBysynthesisofallthecolors,mencanmakewhiteness,theycannotmakelightBysynthesisofallthevirtues,mencanmakevirtue,theycannotmakeloveHowthenarewetohavethistranscendentlivingwholeconveyedintooursouls?
WebraceourwillstosecureitWetrytocopythosewhohaveitWelaydownrulesaboutitWewatchWeprayButthesethingsalonewillnotbringloveintoournatureLoveisanEFFECT。
AndonlyaswefulfilltherightconditioncanwehavetheeffectproducedShallItellyouwhattheCAUSEis?
IfyouturntotheRevisedVersionoftheFirstEpistleofJohnyoufindthesewords:\"WelovebecauseHefirstlovedus。\"\"Welove,\"not\"WeloveHIM。\"Thatisthewaytheoldversionhasit,anditisquitewrong\"WELOVE——becauseHefirstlovedus。\"
Lookatthatword\"because。\"ItistheCAUSEofwhichIhavespoken\"BECAUSEHefirstlovedus,\"theeffectfollowsthatwelove,weloveHim,weloveallmenWecannothelpitBecauseHelovedus,welove,weloveeverybodyOurheartisslowlychanged。
contemplatetheloveofChrist,andyouwillloveStandbeforethatmirror,reflectChrist\'scharacter,andyouwillbechangedintothesameimagefromtendernesstotendernessThereisnootherwayYoucannotlovetoorderYoucanonlylookatthelovelyobject,andfallinlovewithit,andgrowintolikenesstoitAndsolookatthisPerfectCharacter,thisPerfectLifeLookatThegreatsacrificeasHelaiddownHimself,allthroughlife,andupontheCrossofCalvary;andyoumustloveHimAndlovingHim,youmustbecomelikeHimLovebegetsloveItisaprocessofinductionPutapieceofIroninthepresenceofanelectrifiedbody,andthatpieceofironforatimebecomeselectrifiedItischangedintoatemporarymagnetinthemerepresenceofapermanentmagnet,andaslongasyouleavethetwosidebyside,theyarebothmagnetsalikeRemainsidebysidewithHimwholovedus,andGavehimselfforus,andyou,too,willbecomeapermanentmagnet,apermanentlyattractiveforce;andlikeHimyouwilldrawallmenuntoyou,likeHimyouwillbedrawnuntoallmenthatistheinevitableeffectofLove。
Anymanwhofulfillsthatcausemusthavethateffectproducedinhim。
Trytogiveuptheideathatreligioncomestousbychance,orbymystery,orbycapriceItcomestousbynaturallaw,orbysupernaturallaw,foralllawisDivine。
EdwardIrvingwenttoseeadyingboyonce,andwhenheenteredtheroomhejustputhishandonthesufferer\'shead,andsaid,\"Myboy,Godlovesyou,\"andwentawayTheboystartedfromhisbed,andcalledouttothepeopleinthehouse,\"Godlovesme!Godlovesme!\"
Oneword!ItchangedthatboyThesensethatGodlovedhimoverpoweredhim,meltedhimdown,andbeganthecreatingofanewheartinhimAndthatishowtheloveofGodmeltsdowntheunlovelyheartinman,andbegetsinhimthenewcreature,whoispatientandhumbleandgentleandunselfishAndthereisnootherwaytogetitThereisnomysteryaboutitWeloveothers,weloveeverybody,weloveourenemies,BECAUSEHEFIRSTLOVEDUS。
IIITheDefence。
NowIhaveaclosingsentenceortwotoaddaboutPaul\'sreasonforsinglingoutloveasthesupremepossession。
ItisaveryremarkablereasonInasingleworditisthis:IT
LASTS\"Love,\"urgesPaul,\"neverfaileth。\"Thenhebeginsagainoneofhismarvelouslistsofthegreatthingsoftheday,andexposesthemonebyoneHerunsoverthethingsthatmenthoughtweregoingtolast,andshowsthattheyareallfleeting,temporary,passingaway。
\"WhethertherebePROPHECIES,theyshallbedoneaway。\"Itwasthemother\'sambitionforherboyinthosedaysthatheshouldbecomeaprophetForhundredsofyearsGodhadneverspokenbymeansofanyprophet,andatthattimetheprophetwasgreaterthanthekingMenwaitedwistfullyforanothermessengertocome,andhunguponhislipswhenheappeared,asupontheveryvoiceofGodPaulsays,\"Whethertherebeprophecies,theyshallfail。\"TheBibleisfullofpropheciesOnebyonetheyhave\"failed\";thatis,havingbeenfulfilled,theirworkisfinished;theyhavenothingmoretodonowintheworldexcepttofeedadevoutman\'sfaith。
ThenPaultalksaboutTONGUESThatwasanotherthingthatwasgreatlycoveted\"Whethertherebetongues,theyshallcease。\"
Asweallknow,many,manycenturieshavepassedsincetongueshavebeenknowninthisworldTheyhaveceasedTakeitinanysenseyoulikeTakeit,forillustrationmerely,aslanguagesingeneral——asensewhichwasnotinPaul\'smindatall,andwhichthoughitcannotgiveusthespecificlesson,willpointthegeneraltruthConsiderthewordsinwhichthesechapterswerewritten——GreekIthasgoneTaketheLatin——theothergreattongueofthosedaysItceasedlongagoLookattheIndianlanguage。
ItisceasingThelanguageofWales,ofIreland,oftheScottishHighlandsisdyingbeforeoureyesThemostpopularbookintheEnglishtongueatthepresenttime,exceptthebible,isoneofDickens\'works,his\"PickwickPapers。\"ItislargelywritteninthelanguageofLondonstreet-life;andexpertsassureusthatinfiftyyearsitwillbeunintelligibletotheaverageEnglishreader。