August 17

God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. - 1 John 4:16.

CHRISTIANITY is the only religion of the heart, the only religion founded in love, and requiring only love in return. As to all other systems of religion, they always want the full assurance here expressed. Missionaries from abroad have declared that they never found anything among idol worshippers like love, real love, even to their gods and goddesses; they only dreaded them, and therefore hated them. No; there is no religion of love but the religion of Christianity.

If we compare Protestantism with Popery, observe Scotland, and compare it with Ireland. If we compare America with Spain, and England with France, it will be seen that Christianity operates according to the degree of the truth and Spirit of it which are received. See what Christianity has done; it has not only been the power of God to the salvation of many, but where it has not operated savingly, what great moral and social advantages has it produced! As persons have received the truth “as it is in Jesus,” they have always been distinguished by their humanity, by their benevolence, and by their exertions to do good. As Christians, we have reason to be fond of the religion which comes to us with this proclamation: “Now the end of the commandment,” that is, Christianity, “is charity, out of a pure heart and a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” But while we admire, let us remember the words of Young in another case: “Nor stop at wonder: imitate and love.”

Let us keep this truth alive in our thoughts: “God is love.” Keep the belief of it in our prayers, that we may feel not again the “Spirit of bondage again to fear,” but the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry “Abba, Father;” that we may have boldness and access by the faith of Jesus. Let us keep alive the belief of this in all our efforts to do good, in seeking the welfare of souls, and in all our trials; it is this and this alone which will produce acquiescence. A view of God’s power and of his authority may suppress murmurings and complainings; but it is a view of his love in these dispensations, that “he does not afflict willingly;” that it is for our profit, and that our advantage will be answered by it:-It is this that will bring us to his feet, saying, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Lord, here I am; “do with me as seemeth good in thy sight.”

We should think of this and recommend it to all around us, and say, “O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Let it induce us to render our obedience cheerfully and affectionately, and by the mercies of God may we “present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service,” and thus he followers of God as dear children, patient like him, forgiving like him, liberal like him, “who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;” “for if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”