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Are we to understand then that mere philanthropy satisfies the requirements of the
case? Not at all. The strong emphasis upon the man-ward side is because of a weakness
in human nature. It does not say in I John 2: 9, 10 that he that loveth God is in the light,
but:
"He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
He that loveth his brother abideth in the light."
Again, I John 3: 14 does not say that the possession of new life is manifested by our
love to God, but:
"We know that we have passed from death into life, because we love the brethren."
The same test is applied to the profession of the love of God in verse 17:
"Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his
bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in Him?"
The same Apostle brings the argument to a climax in 4: 20, 21, when he says:
"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he that loveth not his
brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God Whom he hath not seen? And this
commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also."
There is no thought in any of these passages of teaching that the love to our neighbour
or brother comes before love to God. This is made clear in I John 5: 2:
"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His
commandments."
We may trace the same spirit in Mark 7: 10-13. The law said that a man was to
honour his father and mother, but the tradition of the Pharisees allowed a man to assume
a hypocritical piety, and say, "it is Corban". He could say to his parents, I have given all
to God, and therefore that which I might have allowed you in your old age has been
devoted to higher and holier uses. The Lord has only one word for such--hypocrites!
There is a danger of similar hypocrisy among believers today. We speak about "the
Lord's work". What is the Lord's work? When we contribute to the expenses of our
meeting do we more than the man of the world who pays for his ticket for a lecture or
concert? When we subscribe for a copy of a magazine have we done more than the man
who pays for his morning paper? Let us not be deceived with meaningless words. To
withdraw from the claims of those connected with us by ties of flesh and blood because
we are devoting our means to the Lord may come under the severe censure of Mark 7:
and I John. When we have these things clearly before us we may learn without
distraction the true order as given in Heb. 6: 10:
"The love, which ye have shewn forth unto His Name, in that ye have ministered unto
the saints."
The love shown for the name of God was manifested towards His people.