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The Renewed Heart Loves as Christ Loved, April 4
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I
have loved you, that ye also love one another.
John 13:34
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Jesus says, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Love is not simply
an impulse, a transitory emotion, dependent upon circumstances; it is
a living principle, a permanent power. The soul is fed by the streams
of pure love that flow from the heart of Christ, as a well-spring that
never fails. O, how is the heart quickened, how are its motives ennobled,
its affections deepened, by this communion! Under the education and
discipline of the Holy Spirit, the children of God love one another, truly,
sincerely, unaffectedly,—“without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” And
this because the heart is in love with Jesus. Our affection for one another
springs from our common relation to God. We are one family, we love
one another as He loved us. When compared with this true, sanctified,
disciplined affection, the shallow courtesy of the world, the meaningless
expression of effusive friendship, are as chaff to the wheat
To love as Christ loved means to manifest unselfishness at all times
and in all places, by kind words and pleasant looks.... Genuine love is
a precious attribute of heavenly origin, which increases its fragrance in
proportion as it is dispensed to others....
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
[102]
10
Letter 63, 1896
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11
Ellen G. White
Manuscript 17, 1899
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103