Love one another
“A new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you, because the darkness in passed, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.” [1 John 2:8-10.]
God desires us to learn the lesson that we are to love Him supremely and our neighbor as Christ has loved us. To do this, we must practice self-control. If we would be true lights, to light every man which cometh into the world, we must manifest the loving, compassionate spirit of Christ.
Don't be like the Accuser of our brethren
What a world of evil has resulted from evil-speaking and evil-surmising. As the inclination to criticize and accuse is indulge, it will strengthen. Those who yield to this inclination place themselves under the training of the priests of Satan’s synagogue. He is the accuser of the brethren, and he improves every opportunity to imbue men and women with his spirit and make them wise to do his work. Shall we not hate his attributes and refuse to be co-partners with him?
Kindness to only a few isn't love, it's selfishness
God would have His children realize that in order to glorify Him their affection must be given to those who most need it. None with whom we come in contact are to be neglected. No selfishness, in look, word, or deed, is to be manifested when dealing with those of like precious faith, whatever may be their position, whether they be high or low, rich or poor. The love that gives kind words to only a few, while others are treated with coldness and indifference, is not love, but selfishness. It will not in any way work for the good of souls or the glory of God. Our love is not to be confined to one or two objects. It is not to be sealed up for special ones, to the neglect of others. Break the bottle, and the fragrance will fill the house.
Bestow affection to all who need help
Those who gather the sunshine of Christ’s righteousness, and do not let it shine forth into the lives of others, will soon lose the sweet, bright rays of heavenly grace, selfishly reserved to be lavished only upon a few. Those who possess much affection, are responsible to God to bestow this affection, not merely upon the members of their own family—for this is selfishness, which has no place in the life of Christ—but on all who need help. Self should not be placed first, gathering to itself a select few, but giving nothing to those who need help the most. Those who do this in no way represent Christ.
Love increases as it is dispensed to others
To love as Christ loved means to manifest unselfishness at all times and in all places, by kind words and pleasant looks. These cost those who give them nothing, but they leave behind a fragrance that surrounds the soul. Their effect can never be estimated. Not only are they a blessing to the receiver, but to the giver, for they react upon him. Genuine love is a precious attribute of heavenly origin, which increases in fragrance in proportion as it is dispensed to others.
Wrongdoers need counsel and reproof
While our words are ever to be kind and tender, no words should be spoken that will lead a wrongdoer to think that his way is not objectionable to God. This is a kind of sympathy that is earthly and deceiving. No license is given for undue manifestation of affections, for sentimental sympathy. Wrongdoers need counsel and reproof, and must sometimes be sharply rebuked.
Reaching out to those who hide their soul hunger
Coldness and hardheartedness are not to be regarded as virtues. Those who cherish Christ’s attributes of character will never be cold and stern and unapproachable in their demeanor, confining their sympathies to a favored few. The souls of those who love Jesus will be surrounded with a pure, fragrant atmosphere. There are those who hide their soul hunger. These will be greatly helped by a tender word or a kind remembrance. The heavenly gifts, freely and richly bestowed by God, are in turn to be freely bestowed by us upon all who come within the sphere of our influence. Thus we reveal a love that is heaven-born, and which will increase as it is freely used in blessing others. Thus we glorify God.
Christ’s love is deep and earnest, flowing like an irrepressible stream to all who will accept it. There is no selfishness in His love. If this heaven-born love is an abiding principle in the heart, it will make itself known, not only to those we hold most dear in sacred relationship, but to all with whom we come in contact. It will lead us to bestow little acts of attention, to make concessions, to perform deeds of kindness, to speak tender, true, encouraging words. It will lead us to sympathize with those whose hearts hunger for sympathy.
The full manuscript:
https://m.egwwritings.org/de/book/6823.1
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