| The Joy of Service |
Chapter 17 |
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There is also the covering of natural feeling. The very heart of all Christian life is love. God is love, and we are commanded to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. The sum of the commandments is, “Thou shalt love.” We are taught to be longsuffering in the endurance of injury and wrong; to be patient unto all men; to love our enemies; to forgive those who have done aught against us; that the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men; that when reviled we should not revile again; that we should not avenge ourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; that we should put away malice, anger, and clamour, and be sweet spirited. Love is the light that should shine continually from the Christ life in us.
But some people hide this cheerful light of love under the old natural feelings of resentfulness, unforgiveness, and bitterness. They are quick to take offence. The hold grudges. They are not thoughtful. They do not forgive. They are quick tempered, hasty in their speech, lacking affectionateness and sympathy. They may have a heart of love; but it seems as if there were surrounding it and covering it a hard crust which prevents the outflow of the love.
There are many good people who do not reveal their best self. They are like frowning fortresses, – outside, cold, stern, forbidding walls, but within, a beautiful garden spot, with home love, and refuge. These men are outwardly brusque, severe, and unapproachable; but, when you find the way to their heart, there is warmth there, with faithful constancy and shelter of strong love. But how much better it would be if there were not this grim outside; if the love found its way into the manners, the speech, all the expression! We should not hide the warm light of love in our heart beneath a covering of external unlovableness, but should set the lamp where its shining will reach every life that touches ours or comes under our influences.
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