The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 60

HOMILETICS. Ver. 3.-The Grace and Place of Love. "And Solomon loved the Lord, walk- ing in all the statutes of David his father, only . . . . he sacrificed,'' &c. Of how many men, as well as of the wisest of men, may some such words be used. Of some few it may perhaps be averred that they have loved the Lord " with a per- fect heart," of fewer still, if any, that they have loved Him with all the heart, and all the mind, and all the soul, and all the strength. But in the case of most, a qualifying clause must be added, an "only." Along with sincere piety, with devout love to Him who first loved us, how often are there found imperfections, infir- mities, sins. Sometimes, e.g., the loved is tinged with superstition, as in the case of St. Theresa, Lacordaire, and many Romanists; sometimes, as in the case of Calvin and many Protestants, it is marked by hal'!!hness and intolerance ; sometimes, as in the case of Schleiermacher and Bunsen, it is infected with mtionalism. The love, that is to say, is not without alloy; it is not the pure refined gold. In some of the blessed saints we find narrowness and bigotry, in others fanaticism; in others, ngo.in, Pharisaism and presumption. Now all these "love the Lord . . . . only . . . .'' But observe. Solomon wns loved of God ; blessed, enriched, and prospered of God, despite this" only;'' notwithstnnding, i.e., that his sacrin<;e and service were marked by imperfection. Hence lee.m- l. THAT GoD LOVES THOSE WHO LOVE HIM, DESPITE THEIR IMPERFECTIONS. Of course God loves men who do not love Him. "God commendeth His love townrds us in that while we were yet sinners,'' &c. We often say to children," God doesn't love you when you are naughty," but this is vicious theology. If this were so, there hacl been no hope for our world. But He is good to the unthankfnl o.n,1 evil. Yes, the love must begin with Goel. "We love Him because He first loved us.'' And the love that bore with our sins, in the days of Olll' impenitence, now baars also with Olll' infirmities and ignorances. Neither superstition nor narrowness nor fanaticism "nor any other creature can separate us from the love of Goel," &c. II. TIIAT GoD FORGIVES THOSE WHO LOVE HIM, NOTWITHSTANDING TllEIR INFm• MITIEs. It is not meant here that our love can make any atonement or reparntion for our sins. We know of no merits or mediation but His. "Your sins are for• given you for His name's sake." But where there is love, there is forgiveness (Luke vii. 47). Why, love involves penitence and faith, and ensures obedience. (Observe the next words, "Walking in all the statutes," &c.) Thus, the three conditions of forgiveness are all comprehended in love. III. THAT GOD WILL RECEIVE THOSE WHO LOVE Hm, DESPITE THEIR IGNORANCES, The gate of heaven is never shut against love, and only love will open it. .. "0 merchant, e.t heaven's gate, for heavenly we.re Love is the only coin that passes there." It must be so, fo1· "love is heaven, n.ncl heaven is love.''  THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. LcJi. rn. 1-16.