Evening journal., 1916-05-13
THE ~WHAT DOES CHRIST
WANT Us TO DOr
THE TEXT JOHN 10 .is-le.
THE COMMENTATOR REV. J. r.
STONESIFER.


STONESIFER.
The union Of Christ and the believer
had been the subject of the preceding
portion OF this chapter. The figure
of the vine and It's branches has been
employed to illustrate the principle of
the common and effective life between
the Christian and his lord. Because
Of the vigor and vitality of the life OF
the latter il Is possible for the former
to bear fruit, and to bear fruit cor
responding with the Christ type Of
life
In the passage selected for our
study. the issue OF this union Is de-
scribed insofar as II affects the rela-
tions between Christ and His people.
The issue is love and four suggestions
are made concerning this love.
The Commandment Of Love. (V.12).
This is my commandment that ye
love one another" The Master sim
ply assumes the right to command and
the duty Of obedience on the part of
the disciples. He does not reckon
with their inclination or prejudices.
No account is taken Of any objections.
Their own judgment may take issue
with the command. but that is neither
here nor there. The Christian must
recognize the ultimate authority of
our Lords will. Il is His undisputed
prerogative to direct His followers
as He chooses. His Word is the court
of last resort
The absoluteness of the command
f- Ia 81 20
all explanation for the command.
There is no argument or attempted
justification. There is but one reason
for this demand. and that reason is
His own will. This is my command
ment that ye love one another" Is the
! almost arbitrary bidding. There are
b other exhOrtations to which reasons
are affixed. as though the Master de-
, sired TO acquaint His followers with
every detail Of both service and argu-
ment, but here there is nothing ex-
cept reliance upon the simple state
ment, this is my will"
Doubtless exceptions could have
been urged. Differences in tempera-
ment, discipline, interests, response
loveableness could have been cited in
support OF exceptions, but there is nc
room TO plead any exemption. II thes,
Jews should meet Samaritan or Gen
tile dogs, they must not only not avoid
them. or just treat tolerantly and civ
lily, but they must love them. Their,
are people whom we are always happ,
TO avoid, and many whom we study Il
avoid but the Master refuses toSever
debate the question and its merits
There is but one short, sharp impera.
tive-"Love Them"
{ The Measure OF Love. ". 13.)
5 But there are degrees of love. Some
r persons we love more than others. A
mother loves a child more than any
, other person. VIII not the minimum
d OF love answer? No. for love thai
z gauges itself by the minimum stand.
y ard is not love. The question which
D love asks Is not how little. but "how
n much The parent is not constant,
on the alert TO discover the least ben.
eft by which to hold the love of the
u child. There is an instinct which re-
pudiates measuring. Love is extrav-
2, agant. Il promptly breaks into a thou
j. sand pieces the alabaster box and
z laughs at the Judas criticism" VIII,
%
?. speak OF a love than which nothinf
e can be greater. Greater love hath M
man than this. that a man lay dowr
4 his life for his friends" He may Civ,
'' OF his possessions, of his experience
; Of his advice. OF his prestige. but tn,
: supreme love consists in giving him
! self This is the measure OF low
= which Christ expects his people I,
\ cherish for one another.
J Another form in which He expresses
a this measure OF love is, "lOve one an
. other, even as / have loved you" Tn,
greatest love which mankind has eve
, known has been the love of God
is wonderful standard TO hold up be
fore men-almost inconceivable. tha
, the Lord would expect His disciples
+ to possess a love which has been botl
the exception and mystery Of the ages
r We shall not be able to equal it in al
its elements, but in purity and SINGER
ity we must not fall far short of IT,
One particular element. however. il
e emphasized-tha Of self-sacrifice
+ Paul describes it as carrying abou
e the dying" Of the Lord, by whicl
! something more than the memory o
!, appropriation Of Calvary is intended
: The act or process of dying is in mind
Paul carries the spirit and actua
n. practice Of dying. He is giving him
I self daily. And il is for this that ou
: Lord pleads in this passage. There ar
n. great standards OF love-the creates
love. the love Of God. self-sacriicin
love. But the demand is all the NOR
extreme when it is remembered tina
this is the type OF love He asks no
for Himself but for the weakest. oh
r scurest. or most exasperating follow
4 ers in the disciple circle.
y The Condolences of Love. CY. II, 15.)