0379. Love for God's People

Love for God’s People

"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren" (1Jn_3:14).

We have before us a definite token of salvation. We are not saved, by loving the brethren; but when we are saved, we will love them.

An evident token of perdition is a love for the world. The Bible clearly says, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world: if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

Illustration: A dog followed behind two men as they were walking down the street. Some one said: "I wonder whose dog he is?" "Just wait until we come to the fork of the road and we will see," was the reply. The dog will always follow his master.

It is still true: "My sheep hear My voice, and they follow Me, and a stranger will they not follow, for they know not the voice of strangers" (Joh_10:4-5).

The children of God will love the house of God, and they will enjoy the fellowship of saints. "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another," "They shall be Mine saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels (peculiar treasure)" (Mal_3:16-17).

Illustration: It is said that when A. B. Earl was a young man he sought membership in a Baptist Church. In those days it was necessary that one should relate their experience before they were baptized. Young Earl told the church that he had no big experience; that he had heard no voices, and had seen no visions, but said he: "My brethren, I love God’s people and I love the house of God." One old deacon is said to have arisen, and to have said: "Brethren, we cannot refuse this young man our fellowship, because the Bible says: ‘We know we have passed from death unto life when we love the brethren.’"

The children of the wicked one do not delight in the fellowship of saints, they do not enjoy the life of prayer and the spiritual study of the Word. The world prefers the dance, or the theater, or the card party, or the lodge, or an afternoon at the park, or an automobile spin, rather than the prayer meeting and the communion of the saints.

The man who stays at home on Sunday morning, and pores over the Sunday newspaper, neglecting the house of God and the assembly of the saints, has no token that he is saved.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR