June 13

Read: I John 4:7-11

You must love the Lord your God with your whole heart… You must love your neighbor as you do yourself. No other commandment is greater than these (Mark 12:30-31, Williams).

No Attitude Contrary To Love

Early in the life of His people God revealed His supreme will for man: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart” (Deuteronomy 6:5). The same revelation was given to John: “Love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God” (I John 4:7). Paul declares: “The fruit of the Spirit is love” (Galatians 5:22). Jesus himself tells us His Father’s will for us: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart… and thy neighbour as thyself” (Luke 10:27).

Is it any wonder that John Wesley declared of the doctrine of perfect love: “I tell you, as plain as I can speak, where and when I found this. I found it in the oracles of God, in the Old and New Testaments, when I read them with no other view or desire but to save my own soul”?

In answer to the question, “What is Christian perfection?” Wesley replied: “Pure love, reigning alone in the heart and life, this is the whole of scriptural perfection… The loving God with

all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. This implies that no wrong [attitude], none contrary to love, remains in the soul; and that all the thoughts, words, and actions are governed by pure love.” When asked, “Is there no danger of a man being deceived about being sanctified?” Wesley answered: “So long as he feels nothing but love animating all his thoughts and words and actions he is in no danger.”

More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee! Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee; This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to Thee; More love to Thee, more love to Thee!

— Elizabeth Prentiss