FOLLOW AFTER CHARITY

 

July 8

 

I Corinthians 14:1

Follow after charity, and

desire spiritual gifts, but

rather that ye may prophesy.

 

Charity is love; and what can be so worthy of the Christian’s thought, care, and anxious desire, as LOVE?

 

Love to God, the centre and source of all excellence;

to Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant, the personification of everything that is lovely;

to believers, for His sake and because they are His children and representatives;

to sinners, because He commands us.

 

The law requires it, and the gospel, when applied by the power of the Holy Ghost, produces it.

 

It is not in our hearts by nature; we are ENMITY.

 

It is not to be produced by human effort.

 

It flows from grace.

 

It produced by the Holy Ghost. It is connected with the evangelical settlement.

 

Its exercise is our happiness and our holiness.

 

There is no real religion without love; and only so much true godliness as there is love.

 

LET US FOLLOW AFTER CHARITY.

 

Let us cultivate love to the Lord’s people, for the Lord’s sake; not merely those who see as we see, attend the place of worship we attend, and are our personal friends; this is love of party; but let us love all who love Jesus, though in some things they differ from us.

 

‘Tis love that makes our cheerful feet

In swift obedience move;

‘Tis love shall tune our joyful songs

In the sweet realms above;

Jesus, to me this love be given;

Fill me with love, for love is in heaven.

 

James Smith