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Jesus the Prince of Peace, March 21
Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.
Matthew 7:12
.
Wherever the power of intellect, of authority, or of force is employed, and love
is not manifestly present, the affections and will of those whom we seek to reach
assume a defensive, repelling position, and their strength of resistance is increased.
Jesus was the Prince of Peace. He came into the world to bring resistance and
authority into subjection to Himself. Wisdom and strength He could command, but
the means He employed with which to overcome evil were the wisdom and strength
of love....
“Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”
Blessed results would appear as the fruit of such a course. “With what measure
ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Here are strong motives which should
constrain us to love one another with a pure heart, fervently. Christ is our example.
He went about doing good. He lived to bless others. Love beautified and ennobled
all his actions. We are not commanded to do to
ourselves
what we wish others to
do unto us; we are to
do unto others
what we wish them to do to us under like
circumstances. The measure we mete is always measured to us again. Pure love is
simple in its operations, and is distinct from any other principle of action.... Love
should be cherished and cultivated, for its influence is divine (
Testimonies For The
Church 2:135, 136
).
In Jesus you may love with fervor, with earnestness. This love may increase in
depth and expand without limit.... Love to God will ensure love to your neighbor, and
you will engage in the duties of life with a deep, unselfish interest. Pure principles
should underlie your actions. Inward peace will bring even your thoughts into a
healthful channel....
Peace of mind, which comes from pure and holy motives and actions, will
give free and vigorous spring to all the organs of the body. Inward peace and a
conscience void of offense toward God will quicken and invigorate the intellect
like dew distilled upon the tender plants.... The meditations are pleasing because
they are sanctified. The serenity of mind which you may possess will bless all with
whom you associate. This peace and calmness will, in time, become natural, and
will reflect its precious rays upon all around you, to be again reflected upon you.
The more you taste this heavenly peace and quietude of mind, the more it will
increase. It is an animated, living pleasure which does not throw all the moral
energies into a stupor, but awakens them to increased activity. Perfect peace is an
attitude of heaven which angels possess (
Testimonies for the Church 2:326, 327
).
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