The Medical Missionary, vol. 13

October 1904

“Daily Bread for Christian Workers” The Medical Missionary 13, 10.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

Sabbath, Oct. 1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1.

The reader should know that through-out this chapter the word “love” should be used, as in the Revision, instead of “charity,” which is not nearly so expressive. The Greek word is everywhere else rendered “love;” and to render it “charity” in this place causes us to lose the application of this wonderful definition of love to the word as it occurs elsewhere. Here we learn the great importance of love. To be able to speak with tongues is very desirable; the word spoken by angels is steadfast; but the eloquence of Apollos and of all the angels combined in one person destitute of love would have no more weight than the inharmonious clang of two pieces of brass. MEDM October 1904, page 326.1

Sunday, Oct. 2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2. MEDM October 1904, page 326.2

“None of us liveth to himself.” Nothing in the universe was created merely for its own sake. The sun shines, and the grass grows, solely for the benefit of other. So man was made to serve others, and this service is by love. (Galatians 5:13.) The man who has not love, lives for himself alone; for love means giving of one’s self; and he who lives only for himself, even though he have all wisdom and all might, is nothing-at best but a caricature of a man. MEDM October 1904, page 326.3

Monday, Oct. 3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3. MEDM October 1904, page 326.4

How is it, since love is giving, that one can bestow all his goods upon the poor, and give his body to be burned, and not have love?—Simply because “the flesh profiteth nothing.” The giving of goods is not the giving of one’s life. Gifts may be made with a selfish motive—to secure applause or honor. Christ loved us, and gave himself for us. But how about giving the body to be burned?—The body is not the sum of the man; and, moreover, nobody would be benefited by the burning of another’s body. The slaying of Reuben’s two sons could not compensate Jacob for the loss of Benjamin: but Judah showed love, in that he offered himself as a living substitute. MEDM October 1904, page 326.5

Tuesday, Oct. 4. Love suffereth long, and is kind. 1 Corinthians 13:4. MEDM October 1904, page 326.6

We read that “the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah,” and that God “is longsuffering to usward not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Longsuffering, therefore, is patience, forbearance. The word itself implies that the one possessing the characteristic is subject to much opposition or reproach, and has to do with those who are exasperating-utterly regardless of his wishes. To become irritated in such a case, and to treat the offenders with any unkindness, is to show lack of love; and not to have love is not to keep the commandments; for “love is the fulfilling of the law.” MEDM October 1904, page 326.7

Wednesday, Oct. 5. Love envieth not. 1 Corinthians 13:4. MEDM October 1904, page 326.8

It is a great thing when one has learned with Paul, in whatsoever state he is, therewith to be content. The Greek word here used is not the classic word for envy, but a word signifying “eager rivalry, zealous imitation, emulation,” and the thing meant by it was considered among the Greeks, as it commonly is now, as “a noble passion.” It is supposed, however, to love. In the perfect state, whatever one desires and strives after is for its own sake, because its possession is necessary to fit one for service, wholly regardless of whether others possess it or not. The perfect Christian attitude toward every other one is that expressed by John the Baptist toward Christ: “He must increase, I must decrease.” MEDM October 1904, page 326.9

Thursday, Oct. 6. Love vaunteth not itself. 1 Corinthians 13:4. MEDM October 1904, page 327.1

To vaunt is “to make a vain display of one’s own worth, attainments, or powers,” to boast, or to be vainglorious. The one who has love follows the injunction, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than himself.” The word “vaunt,” as may be seen, is allied to the word “vain” and vanity as emptiness. So however much a person may seem to possess, if he is vain, and boasts about it, he shows that he really has nothing; for one really has only that which one uses solely for the benefit of others, and not for self-glorification. To be able to rejoice in another’s prosperity, even when his success seems to be at our expense, and to our disadvantage, is to have attained to happiness that nothing can destroy. MEDM October 1904, page 327.2

Friday, Oct. 7. Love is not puffed up, doth behave itself unseemly. 1 Corinthians 13:5. MEDM October 1904, page 327.3

“Knowledge puffeth up, but love buildeth up.” Love is therefore the onIy real possession and true knowledge. The desire “to pass”-merely to be able make a fair show-is becoming more and more common, as the world gets further away from the spirit of Christianity. The possession of love also makes one all that can be conveyed by the term “gentleman;” for not to behave one’s self unseemly, means to do just the right thing at all times, with perfect grace of manner. The word “unseemly” covers every deviation from the right way. The Greek word is defined to “behave ill, act indecorously, awkwardly, or basely.” Love delivers its possessor from all this. If kings’ courts give polish of manner, where could one expect to learn better manners than in the court of the King of kings? MEDM October 1904, page 327.4

Sabbath, Oct. 3. Love seeketh not its own. 1 Corinthians 13:5. MEDM October 1904, page 327.5

When a man is striving with another for the possession of something, he usually thinks that the statement, “I want nothing but what belongs to me,” is a complete justification of his course. But one does not seek or strive for even that. Love is content with what comes to it; for whatever it seeks is not for itself, but for the benefit of others. “Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, counted it not a prize to be on an equality with God, but emptied himself.” MEDM October 1904, page 327.6

Sunday. Oct. 9. Love is not provoked. 1 Corinthians 13:5. MEDM October 1904, page 327.7

The translators of our common version made a loop-hole by inserting the word “easily,” which has no manner of warrant in the text. Because of this, many have taken it for granted that they were justified in becoming provoked on severe provocation. But Iove is not provoked, whatever the provocation. No annoyance can ruffle it. The Greek word here rendered “provoke” is paroxysm. The word “provoke” itself means to call forth, to excite. The possessor of love will not allow anything to call him out from his peaceful place in the house of God, in the secret place of the Most High. Some would say that the possession of such characteristics unfits one for this world. It does certainly make one unworldly, but it fits one for the world to come, when this world shall pass away. MEDM October 1904, page 327.8

Monday. Oct. 10. Love taketh not account of evil. 1 Corinthians 13:5. MEDM October 1904, page 327.9

The common rendering, “thinketh no evil,” expresses the truth concerning love, but does not convey all the meaning of the word used by the Apostle Paul. It is not merely that love is incompatible with meditating evil as well as with doing it; but love will not think evil of another. The word in the text is defined by Liddell and Scott as “to set down to one’s account,” “to take into account, consider,” “to count, deem, or consider that a thing is so.” It is equivalent to the Latin imputare, impute. We see the full manifestation of it in God who, in Christ, was “reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.” We thus see that “thinketh no evil” is a step in advance of “is not provoked.” Love will not only not be provoked, but will not even think that any evil was meant. The French has it, “does not suspect evil.” MEDM October 1904, page 327.10

Tuesday, Oct. 11. Love rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:6. MEDM October 1904, page 327.11

The crowning sin of the heathen, as set forth in the first chapter of Romans, is that they, “knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them;” but love not only “worketh no ill to his neighbor,” but has no pleasure in unrighteousness done by anybody else. It will not do anything through strife or vainglory, and will not applaud the winner in strife. MEDM October 1904, page 327.12

Wednesday, Oct. 12. Love beareth all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7. MEDM October 1904, page 328.1

The word here rendered “beareth,” occurs but three times besides in the New Testament, being twice rendered “forbear,” and once “suffer.” One definition is “to bear up against, resist;”-and all know that love gives one powers of endurance far beyond the ordinary physical capacity. The mother endures for her child what would cause a strong man to break down. The love that causes one to give himself wholly for the good of others, furnishes one with superhuman strength. Moses and Christ afford striking instances of this. MEDM October 1904, page 328.2

Thursday, Oct, 13. Love believeth all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7. MEDM October 1904, page 328.3

At first thought this seems to conflict with the statement that love thinketh no evil; but we know that it can not, and that the possessor of love will not receive a false report. The statement becomes very plain when we remember that only whatever God says is so (see Genesis 1), and whatever is not so has no real existence. The truth alone is positive; falsehood and error are only negations of the truth. Our text, thus, teaches us that in love there is no element of doubt. “Love is of God,” and believes implicitly and without question every word of God. MEDM October 1904, page 328.4

Friday, Oct. 14. Love hopeth all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7. MEDM October 1904, page 328.5

“Hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts.” That is, hope never disappoints. This is now what commonly passes for hope, which is desire and a measure of expectation, with uncertainty. Christian hope is absolute certainty, based on the sure promise of God. Love, which believeth all things, takes every promise of God at its full value, and so has fulness of hope. It is well constantly to remember that “love is the fulfilling of the law,” and thus to know that whoever has not all patience and faith and hope is not a commandment keeper.” MEDM October 1904, page 328.6

Sabbath, Oct. 15. Love endureth all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7. MEDM October 1904, page 328.7

In this word “endureth” we have something more than is contained in the word “beareth.” Its primary meaning is “to stay behind, to remain at home.” Thus it appears that love is modest and retiring. So we read of God, who is love, “Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.” (Isaiah 45:13.) Love does not put itself forward, but meekly waits, and is willing to stay at home and do the “drudgery” that others shun. MEDM October 1904, page 328.8

Sunday, Oct. 16. Love never faileth; but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away. 1 Corinthians 13:8. MEDM October 1904, page 328.9

The twelfth chapter closes with the words: “Covet earnestly the best gifts and yet I show unto you a more excellent way;” and that way is set forth in the chapter. There is no disparagement of prophecies, tongues, and knowledge; but love is best of all, both because without it, all else is nothing, and because it remains, when all else ceases. And since love is that which alone gives all else its worth, he who has love alone has all things. Love never fails or falls away because it does not depend on the condition of the one loved. God’s love, the only love there is, has its highest manifestation toward his enemies, and that leaves no room for doubt that it will be continued to those who are seeking to serve him. He who has the love of God, loves with an “everlasting love.” MEDM October 1904, page 328.10

Monday, Oct. 17. For we know in part and we prophesy in part-but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. 1 Corinthians 13:9, 10. MEDM October 1904, page 328.11

We are saved by faith, and not by the amount of our knowledge: for they which know most of God and his work, know nothing, in comparison with what there is to learn. “The foolishness of God is wiser than men.” Eternity will not be long enough for us to learn all that there is to be known of God. If we only keep in mind how small is the part of knowledge that we have, we should always speak very modestly. We have but the most limited knowledge even of things that we count ourselves most expert in. “If any man thinketh that knoweth anything, he knoweth not yet as he ought to know it.” But by and by the partial will give place to the perfect; and while we can never exhaust the knowledge of God, we shall then know perfectly all that we do learn. They all will know the Lord, from the least to the greatest. MEDM October 1904, page 328.12

Tuesday. Oct. 18. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child; now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11. MEDM October 1904, page 328.13

This shows that progress is the law of the Christian life, just as growth is the law of the physical life. The weight, size, and habits of a child may be just what they ought to be for a child, but they are not at all adapted to a man. The man, however, in becoming a man, does not repudiate his childhood, but only develops it. The Christian must not only learn more of the Word of God, but must see further and deeper into that with which he has been familiar from childhood. God’s Word is infinite and inexhaustible; when we seem to have mastered any portion of it, we are only at the beginning. “Much more” is the motto for the Christian. MEDM October 1904, page 328.14

Wednesday, Oct. 19. For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12. MEDM October 1904, page 329.1

It is evident that the illustration of childhood and manhood refers to more than growth in this world; for the “now” and “then” of this verse plainly means the present time and the perfect state in the world to come. Now we see only reflections in a mirror, but in the next world we shall see realities; “for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” Spiritual things are the only realities. The Greek word rendered “darkly” is our familiar word “enigma,” and the Revised Version recognizes this by putting “riddle” in the margin. God hides himself now; but the time is coming when we shall see his face and all that is enigmatical now will be solved. MEDM October 1904, page 329.2

Thursday, Oct. 20. Now abideth faith, hope, and love, these three: and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13. MEDM October 1904, page 329.3

We have all read of the time when faith shall be lost in sight, and hope in fruition; but the Scriptures know nothing of a time when faith and hope will be extinct. Faith, hope, and love abide. Indeed, faith and hope must abide as long as love does; for love believeth and hopeth all things. All God’s gifts are eternal, and he does not call us to anything in this life that we are to leave behind in the fuller life. This world is but a preparation for the world to come; and here we are to learn lessons of faith, hope, and love that will make us faithful and hopeful and loving throughout eternity. The future life will be one of constant trust in God, and fresh revelations will awaken ever fresh hope of more to be revealed. But love will ever be the greatest, because it includes all. MEDM October 1904, page 329.4

Friday. Oct. 21. He that loveth not, knoweth not God for God is love. 1 John 4:8. MEDM October 1904, page 329.5

Since God is love, the thirteenth chapter 1 Corinthians is a description of the character of God. God can never cease loving, because he can not cease to be. This is why love never faileth. Our knowledge of God is measured by our love. People of different races and nationalities never perfectly understand one another. Only as people are alike in character and taste, can they have mutual understanding. They who do not love are of a different race from God, and know him not; and those who do not know him can not possibly make him known to others. “Every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God.” MEDM October 1904, page 329.6

Sabbath, Oct. 22. Hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:5. MEDM October 1904, page 329.7

Note that it does not say love for God, but “the love of God;” that is, God’s own love is shed abroad in our hearts by his Spirit, His Spirit brings his character into the life of every one who yields to him. Thus it is that “as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” The first fruit of the Spirit is love (Galatians 5:22): and this love springing up will show itself in us in just the same way that it does in God himself. MEDM October 1904, page 329.8

Sunday, Oct. 23. We love, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19. MEDM October 1904, page 329.9

Our common version has it, “We love Him, because he first loved us.” This is true, but it is not what the text says. The fact that God first gave us his love is the only reason why we love at all. There is much that is called love that is only a caricature of it; but whenever there is any real love at all, it is of God. George Herbert caught the truth from Scripture, and beautifully said:- MEDM October 1904, page 329.10

“From Thee all pity flows.
Mothers are kind because thou art,
And dost dispose To them a part.” MEDM October 1904, page 329.11

Unconscious of Divine love, many people nevertheless love because God loves; but the more we recognize and appreciate his love, the more shall we love. MEDM October 1904, page 329.12

Monday. Oct. 24. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10. MEDM October 1904, page 329.13

The gift of God’s Son, which was the gift of himself, for the world, is the one perfect expression of love. Herein we see that love consists in giving. Love exists not for the benefit of the possessor of it, but for the benefit of the one loved. Christ “loved me, and gave himself for me.” And this perfect love does not inquire about the character of the object of love. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” This was that we might learn how to love. MEDM October 1904, page 329.14

Tuesday, Oct. 25. Hereby know we love, because He laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 1 John 3:16. MEDM October 1904, page 330.1

All true love has in it some trace of this original gift of love-some drops from the fountain. The one great object-lesson of love is Christ laying down his life for us. We ought in like manner to lay down our lives for the brethren. We may do this many times, day after day: for Jesus was laying down his life; when without sparing himself he went about healing the sick, as truly as when he was nailed to the cross. His life was laid down for others from the beginning, and was never taken up for his own benefit. And who are “the brethren” for whom we ought to lay down our lives?-The answer is found in those for whom Christ laid down his life. It was while we were enemies that we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son. MEDM October 1904, page 330.2

Wednesday, Oct. 26. This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous. 1 John 5:3. MEDM October 1904, page 330.3

To keep God’s commandments is the sign of our love, not simply to him, but to all: for the first and greatest commandment is this, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind” and the second is like unto it, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” And his commandments are not grievous, for they are life. Love consists in giving; so we love God when we give ourselves to his service. MEDM October 1904, page 330.4

Thursday, Oct. 27. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:10. MEDM October 1904, page 330.5

Nothing could more fully show that the law of God is love, and hence his own life and character. “He that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” Read all the description of love in 1 Corinthians and elsewhere, and you have a description of commandment-keeping. Commandment-keeping does not consist in mere form: it is the life of the Lord within. “Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” MEDM October 1904, page 330.6

Friday, Oct. 28. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that thou didst send me, and lovedst them even as thou lovedst me. John 17:23. MEDM October 1904, page 330.7

No one ever thinks of doubting the love of God for his Son Jesus Christ. To this he himself gave testimony in the hearing of all the people, saying, “This is my beloved Son.” Now Jesus tells us that the Father loves us just as he loves him; and this is proved by the fact that God gave his Son Jesus Christ to die for us. His life for ours shows that he values our life the same as his. So we may each one hear the voice of God from heaven, saying to us personally, “This is my beloved Son.” MEDM October 1904, page 330.8

Sabbath, Oct. 29. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 1 John 3:1. MEDM October 1904, page 330.9

Yes, behold! Look, consider, and keep on contemplating. Think of all that God has done for Jesus, how he has “highly exalted him,” and then think that the same love is extended to us, for the same purpose, because he counts us his sons equally with Jesus. Not until the gulf that paganism in the church has set between Christ and us is done away, and we recognize the oneness of Jesus with us, can we appreciate the greatness of the love which the Father hath bestowed upon us. MEDM October 1904, page 330.10

Sunday, Oct. 30. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18. MEDM October 1904, page 330.11

In this we see that love is the perfection of Sabbath-keeping, and understand how true Sabbath-keeping is the seal of the law, since it is love-the fulfillment of the law. For Sabbath-keeping is absolute rest in God and his word; it is the fearlessness of perfect truth-the fearlessness of the infant in its mother’s arms. Perfect love casteth out fear. There is no fear in love; therefore by our fear under any circumstances we may measure our lack of love. What a happy condition to be in, when nothing can make us afraid. MEDM October 1904, page 330.12

Monday, Oct. 31. Whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 1 John 2:5. MEDM October 1904, page 330.13

Love is the “bond of perfectness;” therefore whoever has the love of God perfected in him is a perfect man. And how is this perfection attained?-Simply by keeping, holding fast within us, the word of God, because the Word is God, and God is love. God is love, and God is our life; therefore perfect love means fulness of life. “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren.” MEDM October 1904, page 330.14