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The Love that Lasts, September 6
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it:
if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would
utterly be contemned.
Song of Solomon 8:7
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Love is a precious gift, which we receive from Jesus. Pure and holy
affection is not a feeling, but a principle. Those who are actuated by
true love, are neither unreasonable nor blind.
The divine love emanating from Christ never destroys human love,
but includes it. By it human love is refined and purified, elevated and
ennobled. Human love can never bear its precious fruit until it is united
with the divine nature and trained to grow heavenward.
True love is not a strong, fiery, impetuous passion. On the contrary,
it is calm and deep in its nature. It looks beyond mere externals, and
is attracted by qualities alone. It is wise and discriminating, and its
devotion is real and abiding.
Hearts that are filled with the love of Christ can never get very far
apart. Religion is love, and a Christian home is one where love reigns
and finds expression in words and acts of thoughtful kindness and gentle
courtesy.
Our homes must be made a Bethel, our hearts a shrine. Wherever
the love of God is cherished in the soul, there will be peace, there will
be light and joy.
Jesus wants to see happy marriages, happy firesides.
Men and women can reach God’s ideal for them if they will take
Christ as their helper. What human wisdom cannot do, His grace will
accomplish for those who give themselves to Him in loving trust. His
providence can unite hearts in bonds that are of heavenly origin. Love
will not be a mere exchange of soft and flattering words. The loom of
heaven weaves with warp and woof finer, yet more firm, than can be
woven by the looms of earth. The result is not a tissue fabric, but a
texture that will bear test and trial. Heart will be bound to heart in the
golden bonds of a love that is enduring.
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