The Scriptures overwhelm us with this word. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if you love one another." "He that loveth not knoweth not God." "The greatest of these is love." If I have not love, I am nothing." "This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you.

     If this miracle of grace - this fruit of the Spirit - this nature of regeneration is a reality to me, an experience of my heart, Christ becomes my beloved Lord, duties become pleasures, ordinances become desires, enemies become friends, and suppression of self for the good of all and the glory of God becomes a joy! If the love of God is shed abroad in my heart by His Holy Spirit, I am able to accept trials and afflictions from the hand of my heavenly Father with grace and submission, I am able to live in peace with all men, I am able to forgive misunderstandings, overlook the infirmities of others, and build a happy relationship with the family of God. Love begats trust, confidence, and hope. Where love is absent Satan is able to get the advantage. He is able to sow his seed of division, doubt, fear, jealousy, envy, and strife. Nothing renders a man more unlike Christ and more like Satan than to despise love and show a spirit of wrath and hatred.

"Love is the sweetest bud that blows,
Its beauty never dies;
On earth among the saints it grows.
And rise in the skies.

Of all the joys we mortals know
The love of Christ exceeds the rest;
Love-the best blessing here below,
The nearest image of the blest. "