The Pulpit Commentary — 1 John — Section 97

for our brethren. 2. Readiness to relieve the needs of our "brethren. "But whoso hath the world's goods, n.nd beholdeth his brother in need," etc. (ver. 17). True love ei.presses itself not only in great and heroic acts, but io little deeds of thoughtful kmdness, in lowly ministries to the poor and needy. Our Lord not only gave his life for men, but he helped them in other ways. He fed the hungry thousands (Mark viii. 1-9). He vindicated the loving woman who, having anointed him with her costly perfume, was blamed for so doing (Matt. i.xvi. 6-13). He prepared a meal for his hungry, weary, and discouraged disciples (John xxi. 4-13). We ought to imitate llim io this respect. Wo shall not fail to do so if true love dwells in our hearts. If we do not help our needy brethren when it is in our power to do so, it is clear that a love like Christ's is not in us. Look at the case stated in the text. (1) Here is a brother requiring help-a "brother in need." (2) Here is another who has p01ver to render the help which is needed. He "hath the world's goods "-the things needful for the sustenance of the bodily life. (3) The latter is aware of the need of the former. He "bcholdeth his brother in need;'' he has not only seen, but looked upon, considered, his needy brother. (4) Yet be does nothing to relieve the need; be bestows nothing out of his store to supply the wants of his brother; he closes his heart against him. (5) "How doth the love of God abide in him?" Whatever may be his professions1 his conduct proves him destitute of Divine love. "Little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but iu deed and in .truth." Let our love be not merely a profession, but a reality; not an empty sentiment, but a hearty service. Let the beneficence of our hand be joined with the benevolence of our heart. In the spirit of our Lord, let us give to our brethren, not only genuine sympathy, but generous self-sacrifice whenever it is needful so to do. -W.J. Vers. 19-22.-Thfl Judicial function of conscience. "And hereby we know that we are of the truth," etc. Our text suggests the following observations. I. THAT CONSCIENCE EXERCISES A JUDICIAL FUNCTION IN MAN. By "our heart" in· the text St. John means, as Alford says, "the heart as the seat of the conscience, giving rise there to peace or to terror, according as it is at rest or in disquietude. . . . 'l'he heart here is the inward judge of the man." Many are the definitions of" con- science." "Man's conscience is the oracle of God." "Conscience is God's monitor in the soul of man." "The sense of right." "God's vicegerent in the soul." Dr. Whewell: "Conscience is the reason employed about questions of right and wrong, and accompanied with the sentiments of approbation and condemnation." The function of conscience is not to give the Law unto us, but to pronounce whether we have kept the Law or not. "It is the great business of conscience," says Archbishop Leighton, "to sit, and examine, and judge within; to hold courts in the soul; and it is o[ continual necessity (hat it be so." It is most important that we bear in mind that for us conscience is not au infallible guide in the ethics of conduct. Some of the darkest crimes that were ever committed have been sanctioned by consciauce. Saul of Tarsus was conscientious in his fierce persecution of the early Christians. "I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the Name of Jesus of Nazareth" (.Acts xxvi. 9-11). Aud in subsequent ages many a persecutor has resembled him in this respect while perpetrating the most revolting cruelties. That the judgwent of conscience may invariably ba true and perfect it must needs be regulated by the revealed will of GoJ, and be inspired by the Holy Spirit. We should take the will of God in Christ Jesus for our law; and then let conscience, quickened by the Spirit of God, exercise its judicial function in condemning or approving us in our relation to that lalV, II. THAT WHEN, IN ~'HE EXERCISE OF ITS JUDICIAL FUNCTION, CO~SCIENCE CONDEMNS us, MUOH MORE ARE WE CONDEMNED BY THE HOLY GoD. "For if our heart conuemn ust God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." To my mind these words suggest two important considerations. 1. Our conscience is an imperfect J'itdge, but God is absolutely and infinitely holy. Conscience has undoubtedly suffered by reason of human siu. Its judgments are not nlways of the most exalted character. As a judge it is sometimes partial. Sometimes it allows what if it were perfectly pure it must condemn. But" God is greater thau our heart." His righteousness is perfect. Siu iJI. every forJ+l is utterly 11bhorrent to hu:n. Ilis holiness is without the slightest spot  THE FlUST EPISTLE GENERAL OF JOHN. [on. m. 1-24.