Loving Kindness






“The gospel must be fulfilled in accordance with the messages God sends. That which God gives His servants to speak today would not perhaps have been present truth twenty years ago, but it is God's message for this time. 
     "Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool"--in his own estimation-- "that he may be wise." An experience of this kind is needed here, right with the men who have been forward to speak in this meeting. "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men." Do consider this, I beseech you. "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, saith the Lord." 
     Let men and women who are truly converted offer themselves in all humility to the service of the Lord, for verily He hath need of them. First, they must be emptied of all selfishness. They will be cleansed vessels unto honor. They will reflect the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness to all with whom they come in contact. Partakers of the divine nature, they will be savors of life unto life. They will not talk of the faults of others, but will repeat the words of divine wisdom which have penetrated and illuminated their hearts. They will be men who fear to talk and make sport of God's messengers, but men who pray much. 
     "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." John declares, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; . . . that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." 
     As John studied the life of Christ in the Word, he beheld as in a glass the glory of the Lord, and he became changed into the same image, from glory to glory, from character to character, till he was like that which he adored. He imitated the life in which he delighted. He knew the Saviour by an experimental knowledge. His Master's lessons were engraved on his soul. When he testified of the Saviour's grace, the simplicity of his language was eloquent with the love that pervaded his whole being. He had not a doubt nor a suspicion. He entered into no controversy, no wearisome contention. 
     In witnessing for Christ he declared what he knew, what he had seen and heard. There was no supposition, no guesswork, about what he said. And when insult was put upon Christ, when He was slighted, John felt the slight to the very depths of his being, and broke forth into indignation which was a manifestation of his love for Jesus. Christ had humbled Himself; He had taken man's nature; and few could see Him as John saw Him. But John had an advanced experience; the darkness had passed away. On him the true light was shining, and in his epistles he breaks forth against sin, presenting Christ as the One who could cleanse from all iniquity.    
     It was John's deep love for Christ that led him to desire always to be close by His side, and this position was awarded him. Jesus loves those who represent the Father, and John could talk of this love as no other of the disciples could. He reveals to his fellow men that which he knows by living experience it is his duty to reveal, representing in his character the character of Christ. The glory of the Lord was expressed in his face. The beauty of holiness which had transformed him shone with a Christ-like radiance from his countenance.    
     Those who truly love God must manifest loving-kindness of heart, judgment, and righteousness to all with whom they come in contact; for these are the works of God. There is nothing Christ needs so much as agents who feel the necessity of representing Him.”





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