For many who live without the golden rule of the Most High, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” and “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matt. 22:27-40), love is just a sentimental feeling that is expressed only in beautiful words.
But let us remember that in life, as in a large treasure house, no good deed is lost, neither is lost any good word, good thought. Everyone has his imprint for good or evil and influences the circumstances that we live in.
Until this rule becomes the guiding principle for man and transforms his heart, becomes a living force, and overflows as a stream, we would seek in vain to love our neighbor as ourselves. The love of our neighbor has some good qualities that are to be found in our lives.
Many think that the new birth spiritually is needed only for their individual salvation. But this is not enough because we know that he who is born again does not live for himself but for God. He who does not live for others is not born again.
If we want to be true Christians, we need to always have Christ as our example and his teaching as the scale of our mission – to act in all things and at any time in the same way that Jesus would act if he was in our place. This is the golden link that will connect us closely to God and to our neighbor.
When our Savior, Jesus, came to dwell with men, he gave a rule that his followers were to abide by, saying:
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven…” Matt. 5:43-45.
How are we going to do so? By hating only the sin in them and not themselves, and by pitying those who are servants to all those evil traits of character – malice, lie, violence, and vice. Furthermore, we are also to pray for them and to do good to those who hate us. Rom. 12:20, 21. As Jesus Christ himself affirmed, by the words that he said on the cross: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34.
All who walk in life on this road to salvation, are strong spiritually, they overcome the evils that exist by doing good and they do not please themselves but do what is best for others. Rom. 15:1-3.
It is possible for us to live another kind of life on this earth – not this life that is common now, under which men are groaning. Violence, unrighteousness, self-love, and the lower and harsh instincts that are now exulting, are not things that cannot be overcome and removed from us.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17.
If the grace of Christ abides with us, these will be supplanted by self-denying love, aspiration for the truth, and moral elevation. And if these are given room to develop and grow in our hearts, they will shine in our lives with shining brightness. Our lives will be transformed to the uttermost. The power of evil will depart, and leave the place to the kind love of God.
“But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” Matt. 4:3, 4.
The wisest man is he who loves and does good to all men, without looking to see if they are good or evil. Unless the most important rule is kept – supreme love for God and love for our neighbors, we cannot truly say that a man is really a Christian. The apostle Peter tells us that there are three things that are most important in life:
“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” 1 Cor. 13:13.
Our main goal in life in our aspiration to fulfill our duty to our neighbor, must be:
“… charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned…” 1 Tim. 1:5.
“Ye shall be witnesses unto me”
God has revealed himself to mankind in different ways. The wonderful works of nature testify of him. His powerful providential hand is seen overruling the works of nations and also in our individual lives. He sent his servants, the prophets, who – as messengers of his will – proclaimed his word to men. And later he sent his own Son who made the world acquainted with the Father.
Assured of this message of salvation, the apostles left their country to give witness to the gospel. The Savior gave them their mission.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15.
Thanks to this testimony, the first Christian churches were established, in the very center of paganism, and precious victories were won for the meek and lowly Savior.
And today Christ expects us to be witnesses for him – doing his works and copying his self-sacrificing pattern. It is true that this would require courage and perseverance. It is true that difficulties will assail us. But these must only drive us further on, as we are admonished:
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” Heb. 10:35-37.