Men look upon many things as
evidences of Divine grace in the heart. Most of those "evidences"
which men look upon and applaud are so many forms of self-righteousness. They
are things seen of men, pleasing to men, and honored by men; but they are an
abomination to God (Luke
But our Lord Jesus Christ has plainly told us that
there is one distinguishing character by which all true believers may be
identified. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye
have love one to another." If I have in my heart a true love for the
people of God, all the people of God, then I am one of God's elect. If love is
absent from my heart, grace is also absent from my heart. Just in case any do
not know how to measure true love, Paul gives us a clear description in I
Corinthians 13:4-7.
Love is LONGSUFFERING. It is patient with the
weaknesses, infirmities, and offences of others. Love is not sharp, bitter,
quick tempered, and malicious, but KIND. Love is NOT PROUD AND
SELFISH. It does not envy others, promote itself, and behave rashly. Love
is not self-seeking. Love is NOT EASILY PROVOKED. True love for someone
will prevent me from being easily offended by him, and will cause me to quickly
forgive him. Love THINKS NO EVIL. Love always looks for and thinks the
best of its object. It looks for reasons to think good and not evil.
Love does not harbor suspicion, and jealousy, and resentment. Love PATIENTLY
BEARS ALL THINGS in its object. If I love someone I wil1 bear-without anger
or hurt feelings, most anything from them, because I trust them and believe the
best concerning them.
All anger, wrath, malice, suspicion, and gossip are
contrary to that love which characterizes God's elect. They spring from the old
man, from the heart of sinful flesh. We must repent of such things and turn
from them. It is my constant prayer that the Lord God will teach me to love my
brethren and teach me to show them true love for Christ's sake.