Bedside Watchman By This We Know

Last Updated on : October 11, 2014

The Bedside Watchman

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June 18th -- 1 John 5

By This We Know

"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments" (1 John 5:2). A brother among the children of Sodom, whether these bear the name or not, might have the experience of Lot "whose righteous soul was vexed from day to day." His love would be undrawn out. His soul would be stirred within him disagreeably, in accordance with the characteristic of divinely approved men, who "cannot bear them that are evil" (Rev. 2:2) and despise vile men, honouring them that fear the Lord (Psa. 15:4); but by John's rule, he would be able to comfort himself in the drought and in bitterness. He knows within himself that God is his chief delight, and the commandments of God the subject of his supreme regard. He can therefore say to himself, "Though my antipathies are stirred; though my soul eats in bitterness; though my love is rarely called out, I know that I love the children of God, because I love God and keep His commandments. I have only to meet them to have my soul awakened to the fullness of love, and borne aloft with exceeding joy."

Robert Roberts, Seasons of Comfort, page 42