born again, it follows that the love of Cod is shed abroad in the Chris tian's heart by the Holy Spirit which is given unto him (Romans 5:5). We are to make it a special point to contemplate this unique type of love which has been bestowed up on us (I John 3:1). The gift of His love through salvation becomes the permanent possession of the one who places his trust in the Lord. It can never be taken from us. It is a strange and foreign kind of love which comes from another world. Earthly kingdoms certainly know nothing about it. For this reason the child of Cod can be filled with admiration and astonishment. This is why we are called upon to "love orte another" (I John 3:11). The Gospel not only saves men from the penalty of sin but also it unites us to Christ in a common bond of love for one another. The duty of brotherly love should occupy a large place in the life of every child of God (I John 3:23). Right belief will result in right be havior. It is useless to testify of our faith in Christ if we do not have love for those who likewise belong to the Saviour. The two are regarded as being inseparable. We are members one of another (Ro mans 12:5; I Thessalonians 4:9). Love for one another is the first lesson Christ taught His disciples, it is repeated more than 15 times in the New Testament. It is a mis conception to insist that all men are beloved of Cod. It is correct that all men are loved by God. "Beloved" is a term used exclusive ly for His born again ones. Love is the blessed bond of the family of God. To grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is to grow in love. As we know
Christ and love Him we continue to love His people for His sake (I John 5:1). Since every Christian is a partaker of God's nature by which he is born of Cod it is ex pected that the Christian's life will manifest love to those who are like wise redeemed. Perhaps the most practical com mandment given to us in the Word of God, with the widest possible application to our lives, is that we "love one another." It would be an important exercise in understand ing God's truth on this subject to read such verses as I John 3:15-18; 4:11, 21. These texts deal further with the all-important subject of our relationships with others. Scripture very definitely reminds us that we have an obligation and a debt to others which we can nev er fully repay. In the atonement of our Lord Jesus we have a standard for those who are His. This is why self must be crucified daily. The personal ego must be denied for the blessing and benefit of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Such demands are certainly not too great. There should be no question of the needs we can see all around us. If we have the necessities of life we are sinning by simply standing by and watching someone else suf fer from a lack of what he needs for his own existence. We cannot be obedient Christians and over look the hardness with which we see so many surrounded. We all have had occasions when our first impulse at the sight of need was to arise and give relief. Yet too often have we failed to render that support, suppressing the concern in our actions. The Scripture re minds us, "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in Page 37
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