05 - CHAPTER 3: GOD'S LOVE NEVER FAILS

What is the Victorious Life? It is the life of holiness, or the "perfect" life, which is so often referred to by Paul in his Epistles. Surely then the very first thing for us to do is to find out just what is commanded us, and promised us, in the New Testament. Two very definite things have been already spoken of-HOLINESS and PERFECTION. What do these words mean? And is "Holiness" the same thing as "Perfection?"

Now it is a very singular fact that really devoted-yet DEFEATED-Christians gladly aim at "holiness," but are frightened of "perfection." "There is no such thing as ’perfection’" is a common remark on the lips of Christian people. Our reply is, that our Lord COMMANDED it, whatever it is.

"PERFECTION" HERE AND NOW

"Perfection," said a Professor of Theology, "is an unrealisable ideal towards which we progress through all eternity." Yet Christ demands some sort of ’perfection" HERE and NOW. If we are really sincere we shall try to see what the Saviour means. "Be ye therefore ’perfect,’" said Christ.

"That’s a bewildering command," was the comment made on this verse, by a modern preacher, "but when our Lord adds, ’as your heavenly Father is perfect’ we are simply staggered, and in despair give up attempting to obey!" Yet these added words are the key to the solution of the difficulty! For at once we can cut out all false ideas of "perfection."

HOW is our Heavenly Father "perfect"? Surely in everything. But He is GOD and we are MEN. He does not command us to be ’perfect’ as God. The FATHER is "perfect" in absolute sinlessness; in Majesty, in Glory, in Power, in Wisdom. Such "perfection" cannot be attained by mortal man. In what then are WE to be "perfect"? "Be ye THEREFORE perfect." That word "therefore" evidently refers to what has been said just before. What is that? Simply a command to be full of love. Godless men love their friends: the followers of Christ are to LOVE THEIR ENEMIES as well. Our Lord is commanding perfect LOVE. This thought came to me with overwhelming power. The Victorious Life is simply a life of PERFECT LOVE. OUR LORD’S "NEW COMMANDMENT"

Towards the end of His earthly life, our Lord said, "A new commandment I GIVE unto you, that ye LOVE one another; even AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:34). There is the standard and there is the command to reach it. As Christ loved-that is the standard; and that is perfect love. And this is commanded US. And St. Paul reminds us that "love" is the only thing which can enable us to obey God. "Love is the fulfilling of the Law." (Romans 13:10).

"The point is, can an imperfect man or woman have ’perfect’ love?" That was the opening sentence of an address on this subject. But surely that is not the way to approach this question? It is the blessed Master Who commands. It is not for me to cast even the shadow of a doubt on the possibility of what He bids. But, do we not feel constrained to cry out, like a seeker of old, "How CAN these things be?" Is there such a thing as "perfect love?"

Assuredly there is. The Father’s love is "perfect." The love wherewith Christ loved us is perfect. Human love is imperfect and always will be. But does not the Bible say, "The love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts?" (Romans 5:5). Would you believe it, if you were told that this was the reason why Jesus Christ revealed God the Father? Yet it is so. We have His own words for it. Our Lord said, "I have made known unto them Thy name, and will make it known"-that includes you and me- "that the LOVE wherewith Thou love Me, may be IN THEM, and I in them" (John 17:26). THE SECRET-"PERFECT LOVE"

Here, then, is the secret of it all. "Perfect love" is surely possible, but only possible when Jesus Christ Himself-God Himself Who is love- comes to dwell in our hearts.

St. John, the Apostle of love, told us this long ago. "If we LOVE one another God abides IN US, and His love is perfected IN US" (1 John 4:12).

"We KNOW and have believed the love which God hath IN US. God is love: and he that abides in love, abides in God, and God abides in him. Herein is love made PERFECT with us" (1 John 4:16-17). It is, therefore, as clear as day, that if we desire "perfect love," we CAN GET IT by having Jesus Christ-Who is love-filling our whole being. Then, and then only, can we understand that stupendous comparison of John: "because as He is, even so are WE in this world" (1 John 4:17). No wonder St. Paul cried out exultantly-defiantly? -- "Who shall separate us from the love of God?" (Romans 8:39). No wonder he bursts out in triumphant faith, when he prays for the Ephesians "that Christ may dwell IN YOUR HEARTS by faith; to the end that ye being rooted and grounded in LOVE, may be strong to apprehend with all the saints, what is the breadth, and length and height and depth, and to know the LOVE OF CHRIST, which passes knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:17).

Before we go on to ask, not doubtingly, but in a spirit of joyous expectation, "HOW can these things be?" may we just answer the questions which are in the minds of some. "And IS love ALONE really enough?" "Does ’love’ indeed banish sin from my life?" "Does ’perfect love’ mean ’holiness’?" To answer such questions, we need only just look at that wonderful 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians in order to realise what Divine Love can work in us.

"Love suffers long"-it drives away all impatience.

"Love is kind"-it leaves room for no unkindness.

"Love envies not"-all jealousy is banished.

"Love vaunteth not itself"- boasting and self-assertion disappear.

"Is not puffed-up"-pride finds no place in the heart.

"Does not behave itself unseemly" ----- folly goes.

"Seeks not its own"-"self" is dead-selfishness will be unknown.

"Is not provoked"-anger and wrath will not be seen.

"Takes no account of evil"- brooding over so-called "wrongs" will be no more. Malice and all uncharitableness are not found in the heart.

"Bears all things"- complaining will never be heard.

"Hopes all things"-despair, anxiety, despondency go.

"LOVE NEVER FAILS." No wonder Paul adds, "When that which is PERFECT is come..." What IS it that is "Perfect?"-why, just the love of God-shed abroad in our hearts. If "perfect love" casts out this great procession of sins, and fills our entire being, we might well cry out in an ecstasy of thankfulness and delight, "To me to live is Christ"-and Christ is love. If we have not done so before, we must surely set ourselves the task of finding out how this great Possession can be secured. How can we get this Perfect Love- and keep it?