Manuscript Releases, vol. 21 [Nos. 1501-1598]

Love the Fulfilling of the Law

We cannot by searching find out God. But He has revealed Himself in the character of Christ, who is the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of His person. If we desire a knowledge of God, we must be Christlike. When Philip said to Christ, “Show us the Father, and it sufficeth us,” the Saviour answered, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?” [John 14:8, 9]. Christ was the express image of the Father in person and character. 21MR 410.1

He who does not seek each day to be more like Christ cannot know the character of God. Living a pure life through faith in Christ as a personal Saviour brings the believer into a clearer, higher conception of God. No man whose character is not noble and Christlike can set forth God in a correct light. He may preach Christ but he does not show his hearers that Christ is an abiding guest in his heart. 21MR 410.2

“This do, and thou shalt live,” Christ said to the lawyer who had answered His question in the words, “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 thy neighbor as thyself.” Eternal life is the reward that will be given to all who obey the two great principles of God's law—love to God and love to man. The first four commandments define and enjoin love to God; the last six, love to our fellow men. Obedience to God's commands is the only evidence man can give that he possesses a genuine, saving knowledge of God. And supreme love for God is demonstrated by love for those for whom Christ has died. 21MR 410.3

While enshrouded in the pillar of cloud Christ gave directions regarding this love. Distinctly and clearly He laid down the principles of heaven as rules which His chosen people are to observe in their dealings one with another. These principles Christ lived out in His life of humanity. In His sermon on the mount He presented the motives and obligations which should govern the lives of His followers. “All ye are brethren,” He said. “Treat the purchase of My blood as I have given you example.” 21MR 410.4

God has manifested the most wondrous love for fallen man. He 21MR 410.5

“so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Those who are partakers of Christ's love through a reception of the truth will give evidence of this by making earnest, self-sacrificing efforts to give the message of God's love to those who are in error. 21MR 411.1

Thus they become laborers together with Christ. Love for God and for one another unites the soul to Christ by the golden links of love. The soul is bound up with Him in sanctified, elevated union. True sanctification unites believers to Christ and to one another in the bonds of tender sympathy. This union causes to flow continually into the heart rich currents of Christlike love, which flows forth again in love for one another. 21MR 411.2

The qualities which it is essential for all to possess are those which marked the completeness of Christ's character—His love, His patience, His unselfishness, and His goodness. These attributes are gained by doing kindly actions with a kindly heart. But Christ's requirements are not met by His people today. A strange deception is upon the people of God. Selfishness prevents the union which should exist. True love for one another is rare in our churches. This lack of love reveals most certainly that the members do not love God as they suppose they do. They give evidence that they need to be sanctified. 21MR 411.3

It is the greatest and most fatal deception to suppose that a man can have faith unto life eternal without possessing Christlike love for his brethren. He who loves God and his neighbor is filled with light and love. God is in him and all around him. Christians love those around them as precious souls for whom Christ has died. There is no such thing as a loveless Christian, for “God is love.” [1 John 2:3-5, 8-11; John 13:34, 35; 5:12, quoted.]—Manuscript 133, 1899. 21MR 411.4

Ellen G. White Estate

Silver Spring, Maryland,

May 9 1991.

Entire Ms.