worse. This is so evident as we get nearer to the second coming of our Lord. We can expect that persecu tion will increase. Unbelievers can’t be expected to understand our Chris tian standards of righteousness. As we live according to the truth, it is a rebuke to those who are not con cerned. This age isn’t going to im prove with time. Jesus Himself spoke of the times of the end before His coming. We must be prepared. You see, the Bible most people read, is the daily life of the Christian. George Mueller declared in the long ago, “It’s pleased the Lord to teach me the truth that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day is to have my soul happy in the Lord. I must realize that my spiritual life is to be nourished by the Word of God.” This is why we’re to be nour ished and furnished unto all good works. This will bring us spiritual maturity. Yes, in times like these, the Chris tian needs to be trained in the knowledge and the skillful use of the Holy Scriptures. To do this we must diligently apply ourselves to the study of the Bible. Here alone is our safeguard in avoiding error. We must stand true to God, cost what it may. C hapter S eventeen T here is probably no word more used, and abused, today as love. The hallmark of truth on this sub ject is to be found in I Corinthians 13. These things should be both real and evident in our lives. Webster defines love as “a feeling of strong personal attachment which is induced by a sympathetic under standing, or by ties of kinship, ar dent affection.” Paul rem inds us (Gal. 5:22) that the fruit of the Spirit “is love, joy, peace, longsuf- fering, gentleness, goodness, faith.” Love is the fruit born within us by 26
the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It has been well said that “Rock is strong, but iron cleaves it; iron is strong, but fire melts it; fire is strong, but water quenches it; wa ter is strong, but clouds can carry it away; clouds are strong, but the winds drive them; winds are strong, but man can resist them; man is strong, but fear is able to cast him down; fear is strong, but love cast- eth out all fear; love is strongest, be cause love is that which is eternal.” As you no doubt know, there are several words translated “love” from the New Testament. In the Greek we have agapeo and phileo. The former is the strongest word for “love” in the Bible. It attaches worthiness and value to love. It signifies God’s per fect love toward us. The second word, is a friendly kind of interest and responds to the pleasure that one experiences in the person so loved. The word agapeo is used exclu sively in I Corinthians 13. In the English we have it translated “chari ty.” Its preferred meaning is “love.” The chapter preceeding speaks of spiritual gifts. The passages are bridged by the words, “But covet earnestly the best gifts.” In the same manner, notice the transition with 14:1, “Follow after love.” It is right at this particular junction, that a series of very important observa tions must always be made. Remember that God bestowed up on certain Christians spiritual gifts (I Cor. 12:1-11). These may each be classified as having been bestowed for some purpose of vindicating the authority of the Gospel. Here were people who were living in the New Testament without the New Testa ment. God compensated for this by revealing His mind through men who were endowed with special gifts. This was true of the miracles of Christ which attested the validity of His claims He made as the Messiah. How do we recognize the love of God in the lives of Christian people?
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