1 John 5:3

THE TEST OF LOVE

‘For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.’

1 John 5:3

There are presented to us in these few words two salient features of our Christian life.

I. Its loftiest level.—‘As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.’ As we love, we are. The height of our affection is the measure of our soul. How, then, can we rise higher than when we ‘love God with all our heart and with all our minds?’

II. Its constant manifestation.—A true affection which is inoperative is simply inconceivable; or, if it be conceivable, it is utterly worthless. And, of necessity, the form which love’s activity will take must depend upon the object of it. The love of a child issues in tender guardianship, of a pupil in patient teaching, of a friend in close fellowship and unfailing sympathy. The love of God, of Jesus Christ, will manifest itself in keeping His commandments; or, in other words, in doing and bearing His holy will.