the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. Ephesians 5:2. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without. Colossians 4:5. Let us walk in the light of the Lord. Isaiah 2:5. Let no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. Romans 14:13. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 1 John 2:10.
The most delightful incense before God is love. For this reason Christ, who in love sacrificed Himself for us men, was most pleasing to God. For this reason God is also well pleased in all those who walk in love and do to their brethren as Christ has done to us; who sacrifice themselves for their brethren; who have learned to renounce that which is dearest to them and to avoid the appearance of all evil in order not to give offence to anyone; who by grace do all that they can do to build up their neighbor, to save him and rescue him from perdition. If you would burn sweet incense to the Lord, let the flame of love burn in you; let it burn high in deeds of love; replenish it by earnest prayer and constant exercise in love, by walking in the light of love without offence. What was it that the Gentiles wonderingly saw in the first Christians? Their love to one another and to all men. Said the Gentiles, "Behold how they love one another," when they saw the Christians gathered together. No light shines so clearly; no light beams into other eyes so brightly as the light of love; in love there is no shadow, no blot of sin or offence. Every light which is not pure love is a painted light, only darkness. All the sweetness and outward appearance of love are insipid, an ill-smelling savor to God, if it does not edify and prompt us to walk in love according to the mind and example of Christ. He who despises, or lacks respect for a single human being, even though, as St. Paul says, he be "without," outside of the fellowship of Christ, a child of the world and of Satan, has no Christian love; his light is darkness, his love a cold reflection, a northern light which gleams but gives no warmth.
Unwearied, may I this pursue.
Dauntless to the high prize aspire;
Hourly within my soul renew
This holy flame, this heavenly fire;
And day and night be all my care
To guard this sacred treasure there.
