March 12

Morning

Thou shalt love thy neighbour. — Matt 5:43

“Love your neighbor.” Perhaps he rolls in riches and you are poor, and living in your little cottage side-by-side with his lordly mansion. Every day you see his estates, his fine linen, and his sumptuous banquets. God has given him these gifts, covet not his wealth, and think no hard thoughts concerning him. Be content with your own lot, if you cannot better it but do not look upon your neighbor, and wish that he were as yourself. Love him and then you will not envy him.

Perhaps, on the other hand, you are rich and near you reside the poor. Do not scorn to call them neighbor. Own that you are bound to love them. The world calls them your inferiors. In what are they inferior? They are far more your equals—than your inferiors, for “God has made of one blood all those who dwell upon the face of the earth.” It is your coat which is better than theirs but you are by no means better than they. They are men, and what are you more than that? Take heed that you love your neighbor even though he is in rags, or sunken in the depths of poverty.

But, perhaps, you say, “I cannot love my neighbors, because for all I do—they return ingratitude and contempt.” So much the more room for the heroism of love. Would you be a feather-bed warrior, instead of bearing the rough fight of love? He who dares the most, shall win the most; and if your path of love is rough—tread it boldly, still loving your neighbors through thick and thin. Heap coals of fire on their heads, and if they are hard to please, seek not to please them but to please your Master. Remember, that if they spurn your love, your Master has not spurned it, and your deed is as acceptable to Him as if it had been acceptable to them. Love your neighbor-for in so doing you are following the footsteps of Christ.

Evening

To whom belongest thou? — 1 Sam 30:13

No neutralities can exist in Christ’s religion. We are either ranked under the banner of Prince Immanuel, to serve and fight His battles—or we are vassals of the black prince, Satan. “To whom do you belong?”

Reader, let me assist you in your response. Have you been “born again”? If you have, you belong to Christ but without the new birth, you cannot be His. In whom do you trust? For those who believe in Jesus, are the sons of God. Whose work are you doing? You are sure to serve your master, for he whom you serve is thereby owned to be your Lord. What company do you keep? If you belong to Jesus, you will fraternize with those who wear the livery of the cross. “Birds of a feather flock together.” What is your conversation? Is it heavenly or is it earthly? What have you learned of your Master? — for servants learn much from their masters to whom they are apprenticed. If you have served your time with Jesus, it will be said of you, as it was of Peter and John, “They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” We press the question, “To whom do you belong?”

Answer honestly before you give sleep to your eyes. If you are not Christ’s you are in a hard service — Run away from your cruel master! Enter into the service of the Lord of Love, and you shall enjoy a life of blessedness.

If you are Christ’s let me advise you to do four things. You belong to Jesus — obey him; let his Word be your law; let His wish be your will. You belong to the Beloved, then love Him; let your heart embrace Him; let your whole soul be filled with Him. You belong to the Son of God, then trust him; rest nowhere but on him. You belong to the King of kings, then be decided for Him. Thus, without your being branded upon the brow—all will know to whom you belong.