The Pulpit Commentary — 1 John — Section 81

HOMILETICS. Vers. 1, 2.-" W7uit 'IMnner of love 1" Connecting link: The apostle has just spoken about being "born of God." This suggests the thought that, if born of God, then are we cldldren ! A relation so nen.r and dear• a privilege so great, inspires him with a rapturous joy. He lingers exultingly on tlie thought, aud calls on his fellow-believers to contemplate it as an amazing proof of the love of God. Whence our topic-So greae love an object for adoring contemplation. '!'here are some texts which actually oppress the preacher with their grandeur. This is certainly one of them. The utmost that we can do iR to ask the reader to follow us a.s we endeavour to point out what it con- tains, a.nd then to invite to its full and loving contemplation. 'rhis is our order of exposition. "Behold," etc. I. LET US OPE:S UP THE CONTENTS OF THIS GREAT LOVE OF' GOD AB POINTED OUT IN THE TEXT. Need we ask, "What is love?" The question would have been needless were it not that human handling has so vitiated the New Testament teachings concerning it. Evidently here love is regarded in action. So looked at, love is righteousness and benevolence acting in harmony. Apart from righteousness, benevolence would be a maudlin sentimentalism. Righteousness without benevolence would seem rigid and frigid. Benevolence is the beauty of righteousness. Righteous- ness is the strength of benevolence. "Strength and beauty" are both in God; and, together, they make up love. Here we have : 1. Love's origin. "The Father." Here is love's fount, love's central fire. A self-kindled, self-sustaining love. Needing no plea.ding from without, but gw;hing forth spontaneously from the "righteous Father," from the very delight of loving! Yes, and loving, as the Father, all the rights of the Ruler being guarded, and his rectitude being demonstrated in 'a way which he appointed. This being indeed the very perfection of his love, that it is so manifestcu that we can say of it, "The righteousness thereof is like the great mountains." But we have here also: 2. Love's objects. "Us." The impression this makes on any one will depend on the opinion he has of himself. If he is convicted of sin, and has traced the hiciden windings of evil in his own heart, it will ever be to him the marvel of marvels that the .All-pure One could ever love Mm, and seek to purge him from guilt by the Divine process of loving I 3. Love's freeness. "Hath given to us (B•Bdi1tev 1Jµ'iv)." Love not only exists for us, goes out towards us, but it is given to us, as a rich and priceless treasure. Confers on us the noblest gifts from its vast stores, and all freely (Hos. xiv. 4). 4. Love's act=l achievements. "That we should be called children of God: and such we are." We were rebels. As subjects of the great Governor, we had revolted. .And love has re-made us. We have been born a second time, and have thus become children in God's family. We are such. We are called such. It is not, indeed, as yet openly manifested. "Our life is hid with Christ in God." 'fhero is no outward visible sign by which the world can distinguish us. Nor, indeed, have they the spiritual perceptiou to discern nor the judgment to appreciate the mn.rks of God's own. Their wisdom fails to show them God. They did not know the Christ. They do not know us. .And for the same reason in every case. But their ignorance does not alter the glorious fact. "The Spirit beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." 5. Love's ultimate intentions. "It doth not yet appear what we 1hall be." ew. It is not merely for the sake of what we are to-day that our Father on. II[, 1-21.J THE FIRS'r EPISTLE GENERAL OF JOHN. 77