“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”–John 13:35

There is one unfailing mark of Christian character, wherever it is found: Love is always in it. Whatever else may be or may not be in the new life of the Christian—the scarlet thread of love is always woven into the character. God is love, and the believer in Christ, is in a measure, like God. To be a Christian is to have Christ in the heart; and Christ is love. Not to have love—is not to be a Christian.

The first effect of faith in Christ—is the springing up of love in the heart of him who believes. This love does not lie hidden—but is revealed in the life. It shows itself in love for God; but there is no love for God—which does not also make the heart warm toward man. He who loves not his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

Christian love is not a mere beautiful sentiment, glowing like a radiant vision in the soul—but fading the moment we meet our brothers in actual life; it is a love that becomes the very mainspring of all action, the burning heart of all ambition. It is a love that makes us pitiful toward all human sorrow, gentle toward human infirmity, helpful toward human need, patient under human unkindness and injury, and ready at every call to do and suffer and sacrifice.walk, before we learn to walk. If our great Teacher were not patient with us—we would never become like Christ; but he never wearies of our slowness. He is pleased with our efforts, however faulty they are, and has for us always an encouraging word.–J. R. Miller

To beautify the doctrine of God we must believe what it says, do as it commands, trust what it promises, follow where it leads, and proclaim what it declares. If others are to think more highly of God’s Word they must see it honored in the lives of those who proclaim it. They must see something of God in us before they believe what we say. We are to examples ( John 13:15) by walking as He walked (1 John 2:6). This is what Paul had in mind when he wrote, “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.”(1 Thess. 4:1).

We see a lack of love when evil men hijack planes and use them as missiles against us, in domestic strife, feuding neighbors, bullying, and wherever strife is found. In every case love is lacking, and that is always associated with our relationship with God. When we get that right the other problems disappear, peace becomes possible. If that isn’t right nothing else can help. My prayer is that you will do whatever is necessary to make everything right between you and God. Society changes one person at a time. Let it start with you.

“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?“– James 4:1

Have grudges, or petty differences, or personality clashes been tearing at your church lately? Has your own love for the Lord, and his people, been diminished by some strife in the church in which you have taken sides?

Where do such body-breaking, unity-shredding difficulties come from? James answers rhetorically: the problems among you come from problems within you. Wars in the church result from unsuccessful wars inside your soul, James says. The strife and tension comes because of your unchecked desire for personal gain and pleasure.

Check yourself by James’ answer sheet. Does the bitterness in your heart come from pure motives and a selfless spirit, or does it come from wanting to get your own way? Have your words sought to edify and build up others, or have they been tools to tweak your own agenda?

The writer of Proverbs observes: “Only by pride cometh contention” (13:10), and James echoes that assessment. When we seek our own happiness and put ourselves first, the inevitable result is a clash with anyone who gets in our way.

Regardless of what genuine offenses or real grievances you may have suffered, surrender your case to Christ, pray for those who have opposed or injured you, and refuse to be drawn into a war with others in the church.–Baptist Bible Hour

“Whereby are given unto us great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the Divine Nature.”— 2Pe 1:4.

Precious faith and precious promise are necessarily linked together (2Pe 1:1-4). The promises excite the faith, and faith reckons upon the fulfillment of promise. One is sometimes asked why it is that God’s Word seems to fail, and that the righteous do appear to be forsaken! But surely the reason is, not that there is any failure on God’s side to fulfill His promises, but that the promise is not claimed. It is possible to carry around a pocket-full of bank notes and cheques, and to die of starvation because they have not been cashed. When you have found a promise that just fits your need, do not rest content until you have laid it before God, and claimed its fulfillment.

Note that everything which is needed for life and godliness is already granted to us in Jesus our Lord (2Pe 1:3). We have not to pray to our Father for things which He has not anticipated, but to claim those which He has already given. The one purpose of God’s preparation is that we should not only escape the corruption which is in the world, but become “partakers of His Divine Nature.” What a marvellous promise is this, which almost passes human thought and comprehension, that we should become animated and filled by the very nature of God!

Note the recurrence of the phrase “these things” in the following verses. When they abound in us we cannot be idle or unfruitful. The octave of qualities enumerated reminds us of those Chinese boxes, each of which contains a smaller one, until we finally arrive at some precious article enclosed in the innermost. Faith apprehends everything else–manly courage, knowledge, sell-control, patience, godliness, kindness, and above all, love. To be deficient in “these things” is to be short-sighted.

The Apostle says that the soul which has incorporated into itself these qualities of character will be welcomed into the Eternal Kingdom. It will enter the Harbour royally, with every sail set and pennant flying, and receive a choral entrance from the eager crowds that await its approach (2Pe 1:11). Let us be diligent in our appropriation of God’s great and precious promises, so that we shall never fail.

Grant us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, always to seek Thy kingdom and righteousness; and of whatsoever Thou seest us to stand in need, mercifully grant us an abundant portion; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN— F B Meyer