Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Macduff Collection: MacDuff, John - The Christians Pathway (31 days): Day 8
TOPIC: MacDuff, John - The Christians Pathway (31 days) (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: Day 8
Other Subjects in this Topic:
"The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, by the Holy Spirit who is given unto us." Rom_5:5.
The various graces which dignify and adorn the Christian's character, are only so many modifications of his love to God. What is repentance—but love giving vent to its emotions in tears of godly sorrow. What is faith—but love receiving the testimony that God has given concerning His Son, and resting implicitly upon it for life and salvation. What is zeal—but the fire of love, the Christian being led, under the influence of redeeming love— to live no longer to himself—but to Him who died for him, and rose again. What is holiness—but love assimilating the whole character to the likeness of Him who is its great object. What is resignation—but love receiving the cup of sorrow from a Father's hand, and saying in gentle accents, "May Your will be done." And so with all the other fruits of the Spirit; we behold in them a living embodiment of this crowning grace of love to God—and a practical manifestation of its diversified operations.
This love exists in very different degrees in the hearts of true Christians. In some it is full of life and vigor; while it is in a low and languishing condition in others. As regards the latter, how important is it, that their love should be kindled afresh; for, if the preceding representations be correct, where love decays, it will affect the spiritual life in all its branches.
It is true that an apparent weakening of the mere feeling, or sensible enjoyment of love, is no decisive evidence of its actual decline. There is a distinction to be observed between the passion of love and the principle of love; and it is quite possible for the one to be strong and deep, while the other seems to be somewhat faint and feeble. In proof of this, a familiar illustration may be employed. Let us think of an affectionate father, who has to labor hard to gain a livelihood for his family. After he has finished his daily duties he returns home to his humble dwelling; his children gather around him, and their innocent prattle, and the many winning ways in which they court his smiles, call forth his tenderest affection. On the following morning he goes forth to his work, and bears cheerfully the heat and burden of the day; and why? It is that he might have something to supply the needs of his wife and little ones. Now it is very probable that he did not feel his love operate during the labors of the day in so sensible a manner, as he did the evening before. Having had many things to do, he may have passed several hours without once thinking of them. But this is no proof that he does not then love them; the fact that for their sakes he willingly undergoes so much toil, evinces quite the contrary. And were he, even in the midst of his exertions, to hear of any injury being done to them, he would instantly feel emotions as strong, if not stronger, than ever!
Now so it may be, with the child of God. There are times when he does not feel his love operating in so lively a manner as formerly; he has not that glow and fervor which he experienced at other seasons; but even then his love may have suffered no diminution. The passion may be less excited—but the principle may continue in all its vitality.
These remarks are not designed for the cold and carnal professor of religion—but for the encouragement of the feeble-minded, who are apt to suspect the genuineness of their piety, simply because their feelings are not always as animated as they would desire.
At the same time, there is such a thing as real declension in the Christian's love, and in all his other graces. The charge brought against the Ephesian believers is one, it is to be feared, that can be brought against many who bear the name of Christ in the present day—"Nevertheless I have something against you, because you have left your first love." They had not openly turned their backs upon God and His cause; they had not, it may be, neglected His ordinances, or profaned His courts by any outward improprieties; but His love in their hearts had greatly cooled, and they were now very declined from what they once were.
Reader, has the love of God been shed abroad in your heart? And if you have some grounds for concluding that such has been the case—it is most important for you to ascertain whether it is now in a flourishing, or decaying state. Be this your frequent, fervent prayer, "Lord, increase my love; may I be more firmly rooted and grounded therein from day to day; and thus prepare me for that blessed world where all Your people not merely see You as You are—but where they love You as they ought!"
The various graces which dignify and adorn the Christian's character, are only so many modifications of his love to God. What is repentance—but love giving vent to its emotions in tears of godly sorrow. What is faith—but love receiving the testimony that God has given concerning His Son, and resting implicitly upon it for life and salvation. What is zeal—but the fire of love, the Christian being led, under the influence of redeeming love— to live no longer to himself—but to Him who died for him, and rose again. What is holiness—but love assimilating the whole character to the likeness of Him who is its great object. What is resignation—but love receiving the cup of sorrow from a Father's hand, and saying in gentle accents, "May Your will be done." And so with all the other fruits of the Spirit; we behold in them a living embodiment of this crowning grace of love to God—and a practical manifestation of its diversified operations.
This love exists in very different degrees in the hearts of true Christians. In some it is full of life and vigor; while it is in a low and languishing condition in others. As regards the latter, how important is it, that their love should be kindled afresh; for, if the preceding representations be correct, where love decays, it will affect the spiritual life in all its branches.
It is true that an apparent weakening of the mere feeling, or sensible enjoyment of love, is no decisive evidence of its actual decline. There is a distinction to be observed between the passion of love and the principle of love; and it is quite possible for the one to be strong and deep, while the other seems to be somewhat faint and feeble. In proof of this, a familiar illustration may be employed. Let us think of an affectionate father, who has to labor hard to gain a livelihood for his family. After he has finished his daily duties he returns home to his humble dwelling; his children gather around him, and their innocent prattle, and the many winning ways in which they court his smiles, call forth his tenderest affection. On the following morning he goes forth to his work, and bears cheerfully the heat and burden of the day; and why? It is that he might have something to supply the needs of his wife and little ones. Now it is very probable that he did not feel his love operate during the labors of the day in so sensible a manner, as he did the evening before. Having had many things to do, he may have passed several hours without once thinking of them. But this is no proof that he does not then love them; the fact that for their sakes he willingly undergoes so much toil, evinces quite the contrary. And were he, even in the midst of his exertions, to hear of any injury being done to them, he would instantly feel emotions as strong, if not stronger, than ever!
Now so it may be, with the child of God. There are times when he does not feel his love operating in so lively a manner as formerly; he has not that glow and fervor which he experienced at other seasons; but even then his love may have suffered no diminution. The passion may be less excited—but the principle may continue in all its vitality.
These remarks are not designed for the cold and carnal professor of religion—but for the encouragement of the feeble-minded, who are apt to suspect the genuineness of their piety, simply because their feelings are not always as animated as they would desire.
At the same time, there is such a thing as real declension in the Christian's love, and in all his other graces. The charge brought against the Ephesian believers is one, it is to be feared, that can be brought against many who bear the name of Christ in the present day—"Nevertheless I have something against you, because you have left your first love." They had not openly turned their backs upon God and His cause; they had not, it may be, neglected His ordinances, or profaned His courts by any outward improprieties; but His love in their hearts had greatly cooled, and they were now very declined from what they once were.
Reader, has the love of God been shed abroad in your heart? And if you have some grounds for concluding that such has been the case—it is most important for you to ascertain whether it is now in a flourishing, or decaying state. Be this your frequent, fervent prayer, "Lord, increase my love; may I be more firmly rooted and grounded therein from day to day; and thus prepare me for that blessed world where all Your people not merely see You as You are—but where they love You as they ought!"