A CHRISTIAN HAS A SPECIAL LOVE FOR OTHER BELIEVERS, The
Marks of a Christian, By J.C. Ryle
Fourthly, John says, “We know that we have passed from
death to life, because we love the brethren”—I John 3:14.
A man born again,
or regenerate, then, has a special love for all true disciples of Christ. Like
his Father in heaven, he loves all men with a great general love, but he has a
special love for those who are of one mind with himself. Like his Lord and
Saviour, he loves the worst of sinners, and could weep over them; but he has a
peculiar love for those who are believers. He is never so much at home as when
he is in their company. He is never so happy as when he is among the saints and
the excellent of the earth. Others may value learning, or cleverness, or
agreeableness, or riches or rank, in the society they choose. The regenerate
man values Grace. Those who have most Grace, and are most like Christ, are
those he most loves. He feels that they are members of the same family with
himself. [Jn.1:12] He feels that they are his fellow-soldiers, warring against
the same enemy. He feels that they are his fellow-travelers, journeying along
the same road. He understands them, and they understand him. He and they may be
very different in many ways—in rank, in station, in wealth. What matter? They
are Jesus Christ’s people. They are his Father’s sons and daughters. Then he
cannot help loving them.
I place this mark also before you. What would the Apostle
say about you? Are you born again?
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