The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 240

nn1l eccleslasticnl views of religio,1 I If a man he spiritually enlightened and quickener], lie Will love Ohrist; both because Christ is in his own charneter and ministry deservincr of the purest, etrongdsi love our nature cnn offer, and nlso because " he lir~t loved us "-bec1111se hie goodness fontld its highest expression in devotion and in sacrifice. 2. Obedionce is the evlrlence of love. Ln1v nnd love do not 11lways seem to harmonize; yet human rolationships rumish examples or their combination. Obedience here take~ the form of keeping the Ma~tor's word. This involves our (1) becomincr acquainted and fomilinr with his Word; (2) retaining his Word in memory and oftcn°rccalling it; (3) rcveronclng his Word as in itsel! authoritative, and as in many ways binding espe- cially upon us; (4) obeying cheerfully and constantly the WO!'d which is believed to be nnthoritntive and Divine. The Christian's love is not sentimentality; it is a feeling which prompts to thnt obedience which, the relation of the Christian to Christ beina- 0 considered, is the proper fruit of grntefnl affection. JI. THE DIVINE MANIFESTATION TO THE FAITHFUL TAKES TIIE FORMS OF LOVB AND FELLOWSHIP. It must not be forgotten that the love and kin<l.ness of God are presumed as preceding and as accounting for the dispositions and purposes above described. But whilst the Divine pity is the cause of the Christian's newness of heart and life, it is also true that the dispositions and habits which become the Christian are the condition of the enjoyment of those amazing privileges which Jesus here describes. 1. There is, then, a sense in which the Father's love is the reward of the affectionate obedience of ChrisL's people. The :filial dutifulness and affection are approved, and the approval is manifested by the tender affection of the paternal heart. 2. In addition to, ar,d indeed in proof of, this display of Divine love, there is assured Divine fellowship and ind1Vel!- ing. How different is this representation from the imaginations of human fancy, the expectations of human reason I Yet it is in the highest degree honourable to God, and it tends to inspire and to elevate man. _The Christian welcomes his Maker, hill Saviour, as his Guest and Friend.-T. Ver. 21.-"-The bequeat of peace. This promise of the Saviour sank into his people'~ hearts. From the :first, inward peace, peace of conscience and of spirit, was valued as among the choicest possessions of the members of Christ's Church. They gave theit· children names such as lrena,us and Irene, which signify simply "peace." lzi the cocrsc of their communion services it was their custom to greet one another with the saluta- tion, "Peace be with you I" In the catacombs of Rome may still be read on many a. Christian's tomb· the brief but touching inscription, In pace (" In peace"). So did they value the gift and legacy of their beloved Lorr\. l. THERE IS IN .HUMAN LIFE MUCH THAT IS FITTED TO DISTURB A~ TO DESTROY PEACE. 1. Looking back to the past, many are troubled at the retrospect of their own errors, follies, and sins; 2. Looking round upon the present, many cannot fail to dis- cern in their actual circumstances occasions of distress and alarm. 3. Looking forwurd to the future, anxious minllll are perturbed by forebodings and fears. II. THE WOBLD IS POWERLESS TO IMPART OR TO RESTORE PEACE TO THE TROu!ILED HEAP.T. • The consolations of.the world are delusive, its promilles deceptive. 1. There may well be here a reference to the· ordinary greetings of the East. "Peace! " ill the common ·salutation, and has been from time immemorial. Like all such greetings, it often was and is altogether thoughtless and insincere. Our Lord's "peace" is some- thing quite different. 2. But there ill a deeper reference, viz. to the pretence of peace as given by the world, to which no reality corresponds. The world says, "Peace, peace; when there ill no peace." Superficial, deceptive, utterly false, is that insen- sibility to terriblo realities which frivolity and scepticism offer to the troubled soul, Far better storms of fear and care· thnn such a calm as this! For terrible is the awakening, when the judgment of the All-righteous draws near. III. CHntS'l''S l'EACE, AND HIS Al.ONE, IS VALID AND LASTING. 1. This is spiritnal peace. It is not to be supposed that the Christian is exempt from the cares and the calamities of life, that outward circumstances and human society are all to cow bine in order to his preservation from the troubles which nrc incidental to human life. But there may be cnlm within ·even while the storm rages without. 'l'he heart may be set freo from foar. 2. 'l'his peace proceeds from the restoration of right relations betwee11 the soul· and GCld. It is peace of conscience, the substitution of harmony with thll 248 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. [en. :11v, 1-81.