the acts of the apostles-第103章
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glory of Christnot the worldly pomp and power for which he had been taught
to hope； but 〃the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father； full of grace
and truth。〃 John 1：14。
The depth and fervor of John's affection for his Master was not the cause of
Christ's love for him； but the effect of that love。 John desired to become
like Jesus； and under the transforming influence of the love of Christ he
did become meek and lowly。 Self was hid in Jesus。 Above all his companions；
John yielded himself to the power of that wondrous life。 He says； 〃The life
was manifested； and we have seen it。〃 〃And of His fullness have all we
received； and grace for grace。〃 1 John 1：2； John 1：16。 John knew the Saviour
by an experimental knowledge。 His Master's
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lessons were graven on his soul。 When he testified of the Saviour's grace；
his simple language was eloquent with the love that pervaded his whole
being。
It was John's deep love for Christ which led him always to desire to be
close by His side。 The Saviour loved all the Twelve； but John's was the most
receptive spirit。 He was younger than the others； and with more of the
child's confiding trust he opened his heart to Jesus。 Thus he came more into
sympathy with Christ； and through him the Saviour's deepest spiritual
teaching was communicated to the people。
Jesus loves those who represent the Father； and John could talk of the
Father's love as no other of the disciples could。 He revealed to his fellow
men that which he felt in his own soul； representing in his character the
attributes of God。 The glory of the Lord was expressed in his face。 The
beauty of holiness which had transformed him shone with a Christlike
radiance from his countenance。 In adoration and love he beheld the Saviour
until likeness to Christ and fellowship with Him became his one desire； and
in his character was reflected the character of his Master。
〃Behold；〃 he said； 〃what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us；
that we should be called the sons of God。 。。。 Beloved； now are we the sons
of God； and it doth not yet appear what we shall be： but we know that； when
He shall appear； we shall be like Him； for we shall see Him as He is。〃 1
John 3：1； 2。
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Chapter 54
A Faithful Witness
After the ascension of Christ； John stands forth as a faithful； earnest
laborer for the Master。 With the other disciples he enjoyed the outpouring
of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost； and with fresh zeal and power he
continued to speak to the people the words of life； seeking to lead their
thoughts to the Unseen。 He was a powerful preacher； fervent； and deeply in
earnest。 In beautiful language and with a musical voice he told of the words
and works of Christ； speaking in a way that impressed the hearts of those
who heard him。 The simplicity of his words； the sublime power of the truths
he uttered； and the fervor that characterized his teachings； gave him access
to all classes。
The apostle's life was in harmony with his teachings。 The love for Christ
which glowed in his heart led him to put forth earnest； untiring labor for
his fellow men； especially for his brethren in the Christian church。
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Christ had bidden the first disciples love one another as He had loved them。
Thus they were to bear testimony to the world that Christ was formed within；
the hope of glory。 〃A new commandment I give unto you；〃 He had said； 〃That
ye love one another； as I have loved you； that ye also love one another。〃
John 13：34。 At the time when these words were spoken； the disciples could
not understand them； but after they had witnessed the sufferings of Christ；
after His crucifixion and resurrection； and ascension to heaven； and after
the Holy Spirit had rested on them at Pentecost； they had a clearer
conception of the love of God and of the nature of that love which they must
have for one another。 Then John could say to his fellow disciples：
〃Hereby perceive we the love of God； because He laid down His life for us：
and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren。〃
After the descent of the Holy Spirit； when the disciples went forth to
proclaim a living Saviour； their one desire was the salvation of souls。 They
rejoiced in the sweetness of communion with saints。 They were tender；
thoughtful； self…denying； willing to make any sacrifice for the truth's
sake。 In their daily association with one another； they revealed the love
that Christ had enjoined upon them。 By unselfish words and deeds they strove
to kindle this love in other hearts。
Such a love the believers were ever to cherish。 They were to go forward in
willing obedience to the new commandment。 So closely were they to be united
with Christ that
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they would be enabled to fulfill all His requirements。 Their lives were to
magnify the power of a Saviour who could justify them by His righteousness。
But gradually a change came。 The believers began to look for defects in
others。 Dwelling upon mistakes； giving place to unkind criticism； they lost
sight of the Saviour and His love。 They became more strict in regard to
outward ceremonies； more particular about the theory than the practice of
the faith。 In their zeal to condemn others； they overlooked their own
errors。 They lost the brotherly love that Christ had enjoined； and； saddest
of all； they were unconscious of their loss。 They did not realize that
happiness and joy were going out of their lives and that； having shut the
love of God out of their hearts； they would soon walk in darkness。
John； realizing that brotherly love was waning in the church； urged upon
believers the constant need of this love。 His letters to the church are full
of this thought。 〃Beloved； let us love one another；〃 he writes； 〃for love is
of God； and everyone that loveth is born of God； and knoweth God。 He that
loveth not knoweth not God； for God is love。 In this was manifested the love
of God toward us； because that God sent His only…begotten Son into the
world； that we might live through Him。 Herein is love； not that we loved
God； but that He loved us； and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our
sins。 Beloved； if God so loved us； we ought also to love one another。〃
Of the special sense in which this love should be manifested by believers；
the apostle writes： 〃A new commandment
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I write unto you； which thing is true in Him and in you： because the
darkness is past； 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。 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness； and walketh in darkness；
and knoweth not whither he goeth； because that darkness hath blinded his
eyes。〃 〃This is the message that ye heard from the beginning； that we should
love one another。〃 〃He that loveth not his brother abideth in death。
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer： and ye know that no murderer
hath eternal life abiding in him。 Hereby perceive we the love of God；
because He laid down His life for us： and we ought to lay down our lives for
the brethren。〃
It is not the opposition of the world that most endangers the church of
Christ。 It is the evil cherished in the hearts of believers that works their
most grievous disaster and most surely retards the progress of God's cause。
There is no surer way of weakening spirituality than by cherishing envy；
suspicion； faultfinding； and evil surmising。 On the other hand； the
strongest witness that God has sent His Son into the world is the existence
of harmony and union among men of varied dispositions who form His church。
This witness it is the privilege of the followers of Christ to bear。 But in
order to do this； they must place themselves under Christ's command。 Their
characters must be conformed to His character and their wills to His will。
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〃A new comman
