Love And Loneliness

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 The possession of this Divine love often requires walking a lonely path.

Not only does it bring opposition and persecution, but sometimes it means facing those things alone. Once again, Jesus, the perfect example of Divine Love, stands before us as our model.

He was often alone.

Even the disciples He had drawn closest to Himself, and to whom He had tried to impart His thoughts and spirit, frequently failed to understand Him. He often had to correct them and grieve over their lack of understanding and sympathy.

In the greatness of His love, He went forward alone into the darkness of Gethsemane while His disciples slept. Then He continued through mockery, scorn, and suffering all the way to the cross.

Sadly, He was almost entirely alone, except for a few faithful women who remained with Him— to their everlasting honor.

As it was with the Master, so it has been with all those whom God has called to move ahead of their generation.

It was true of John, Paul, many of the apostles, and countless others whom God has called into extraordinary paths of service.

When John received the Revelation concerning things yet to come, he had to go alone to the island of Patmos.

When Paul was caught up into the third heaven and heard things too sacred to be spoken at that time, he went alone and could not even share all that he had experienced.

Those whom God calls to advance often have to walk ahead of others.

And so it is today.

When God calls His followers into a new or unusual path, they often find themselves walking where few have gone before.

Greater love often requires a lonelier walk.

You may say, "That seems very hard."

Yes, I know it does.

I wish I could make it easier, but I cannot change the fact.

Greater love often requires some measure of loneliness because it is those who draw closest to the Lord who receive His deeper confidences.

If you desire intimate fellowship and confidential communion with your Master, you must remain close to His heart. You cannot experience that from a distance.

And when God gives someone greater light than those around them, and that person chooses to follow that light, it naturally places them ahead of others.

Unless they can persuade and encourage others to follow—which is often difficult—they must continue on alone.

A beautiful example of this is found in Acts 10.

Peter was called to move ahead of the entire church.

God had a new step for His kingdom, and He chose Peter to take it.

First, God lowered the sheet filled with animals and commanded Peter to consider what he saw.

Peter carefully studied the vision until God had fully gained his attention.

Then came the command: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” Acts 10:13 God was teaching Peter that His plans for the kingdom were larger than Peter had imagined.

Peter learned that his responsibility was not to argue with God's directions but to obey them.

Once Peter understood the lesson, he followed God's leading.

But as often happens, many in the church were shocked.

The very church that had once benefited from new acts of God was now suspicious of something new itself.

They questioned Peter and called him to account for his actions.

Peter simply explained what God had done.

And thankfully, they possessed enough wisdom, love, and love to accept his explanation and glorify God.

Would to God we saw more of that spirit today.

Only recently, a lady wrote to me about her husband. She said he sympathised with outreach efforts but insisted that everything people need can already be found within the existing church structure.

Others say much the same thing.

As a result, they oppose anyone who dares to step outside the familiar routine and try something new for the sake of reaching people.

You may explain to them that traditional methods are not reaching everyone.

You may point out the vast numbers of people outside the church who remain untouched by the Gospel—the Gentiles of our generation.

You may show them that these people still need salvation and the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit.

You may demonstrate that your methods are just as biblical and lawful as theirs, and perhaps even more effective.

You may tell them that the Holy Spirit has placed a burden upon your heart and that you feel compelled to act.

Yet instead of rejoicing and glorifying God, they criticise and oppose you.

False love cares more about the method than the result.

It is often more concerned with public opinion than with the advancement of Christ's kingdom.

This is one way to recognise it.

Are you more concerned about what your neighbor thinks, what a minister thinks, or what some respected religious leader thinks than you are about seeing Christ's kingdom advance?

If so, be careful.

That is not the right kind of love.

True love focuses on the goal—the spread of righteousness, the salvation of souls, and the reign of Christ.

It is not overly concerned with methods, provided those methods are lawful and pleasing to God.

I do not suggest doing wrong in order to accomplish good—God forbid.

But Divine love says: "Anywhere with Jesus."

In a church building or outside one.

By the sea or in the marketplace.

On a mountain or in a city street.

Anywhere, Lord Jesus, if only You will take Your inheritance and reign in the hearts of people.

True love is willing to become all things to all people if by doing so it may win some.

It gladly stoops to help those of low position.

It puts its arms around the needy and seeks to bring them to the cross and back into fellowship with God.

It is not concerned with the criticism of religious spectators.

Its focus is on saving the lost.

Like the Good Samaritan, it pours in oil and wine, lifts up the wounded, and seeks their restoration.

It is determined to help, regardless of what others may think.

Have you received this kind of love?

It is wonderful.

It warms the heart.

Its beauty becomes more evident every day.

And it will be even more precious when life comes to an end.

Faith and hope will one day give way to sight and fulfillment, but love will remain forever.

Yet this kind of love requires someone to lead the way.

Are you willing to go first?

Are you willing to endure the hardships of a pioneer?

Can you bear ridicule and criticism from others?

Will you follow where the Holy Spirit leads and trust God with the consequences?

If so, blessed are you.

You will gather a harvest of precious souls.

You will shine forever in God's presence.

But if you continually draw back, you place yourself in danger.

Step out onto the ocean of Divine Love.

It alone can carry your fragile vessel through life's storms.

It can make you more than a conqueror.

So step forward.

Follow.

Follow.

Follow.

Do not be afraid.

False love is very different.

It craves human recognition.

Attention and praise are its lifeblood.

Stop noticing it, and it soon fades away.

Paul described this spirit when speaking of his former life: “Being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.” Romans 10:3 Before his conversion, Saul saw the growing movement of Christ's followers as an opportunity to gain approval and recognition.

Since Christians were widely opposed, Saul believed that persecuting them would increase his own standing.

So he became fiercely hostile toward them, pursuing them even into distant cities.

But later he recognised that the driving force behind his actions had been self-glory.

False love hates being in the minority.

It prefers the safety of popular opinion.

Its followers cling tightly to tradition and are greatly influenced by what respected leaders think.

Like the Pharisees, they continually ask: “Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?” John 7:48 My friends, let this teach us wisdom and love.

Test everything carefully before condemning it.

Saul sincerely believed he was serving God when he persecuted Christians.

Yet he was terribly mistaken.

While imagining that he was doing God's work, he was actually opposing God's purposes.

If he had recognised the truth, he would have changed immediately.

I wish more people would remember that many of the practices they now consider respectable and established were once viewed as dangerous innovations.

The paths our spiritual forefathers fought to establish were once considered new, controversial, and unacceptable.

If our forefathers had refused every new leading of God simply because it was unfamiliar, many of the blessings we enjoy today would never have come.

Instead of merely admiring the faith and courage of previous generations, we should imitate them.

They did not spend their lives preserving comfort.

They advanced God's kingdom.

They moved forward in faith.

They pressed on toward the conquest of the world for Christ.

Yet today, many build monuments to past heroes while resisting the very spirit that made those heroes great.

It is much as it was in Jesus' day: “So you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.”

Matthew 23:31 Sadly, much of the same spirit still exists today.

The labels may have changed, but the attitudes often remain the same.

Now, my friends, examine yourselves.

Which love do you possess?

Do you rejoice whenever Christ's kingdom advances through lawful means?

Or are you more concerned about appearances than transformed lives?

Would you rather see a sinner remain in bondage than be rescued through methods that seem unconventional?

Would you rather people be lost respectably than saved unexpectedly?

If so, then the spirit of the Pharisees is still present.

For your instruction, carefully read Matthew 23:23–28 and allow God to search your heart.

Another way this false love reveals itself is in how harshly it often responds in personal situations.

Let us consider an example.

Suppose there is a family of respectable, church-going people who have attended church or chapel for many years. Or imagine a church of the same kind. Nothing unusual has happened. They fear the Lord, live comfortably, and continue much as they have for ten or fifteen years, simply replacing those who have moved away or passed on.

Now suppose that someone in that family or church experiences a genuine spiritual awakening.

Perhaps they read a book, attend a special meeting, or hear a message that God uses to shine fresh light into their heart. They become deeply aware of their spiritual condition. They begin praying earnestly, seeking God, and grieving over their failures. Then they experience afresh the forgiveness of their sins and the joy of God's salvation.

Almost immediately, once this inward work takes place, an outward opportunity opens before them.

The Spirit of God impresses upon them some new area of service—perhaps something long neglected or never previously recognised in their family or church. They see how greatly it could contribute to the salvation of souls and the advancement of Christ's kingdom, and the desire to pursue it begins to burn within them.

They pray over it carefully and wait until they are fully convinced that it is not merely a passing emotion but a genuine leading of the Spirit of God.

Filled with love, faith, and zeal, they go to their minister or a Christian friend. They expect encouragement and support.

But sadly, they are often met with objections.

People begin raising concerns: "Well, that is not quite how we do things."

"That would be outside our usual practice."

"I am afraid the church leaders may object."

"Something might go wrong."

And if the person happens to be young—as though youth itself were a fault—they are often discouraged even further.

They are told: "Wait until you have more experience."

Or: "You should not attempt anything unless we fully approve of it."

My friends, you smile because you know how often this happens.

How many promptings of the Holy Spirit have been silenced this way?

How many heavenly callings, as clear to the heart as Peter's vision was to him, have been dismissed?

How many God-given dreams for advancing Christ's kingdom have been crushed by this false, selfish, and counterfeit love?

May God remove it from among us.

Personally, I would not care what the Lord called my child to do if it would advance His kingdom and glorify His name.

I might say: "My child, this may be difficult for me. I might have chosen a different path for you. But if you are convinced that God is leading you, then go forward, and I will do all I can to help you."

Why?

Because I want the King to receive what belongs to Him.

I want Christ's purposes accomplished, and I desire that He use not only me but also those most precious to me for His glory.

Fathers and mothers, take heed.

If you withhold your children from God, you place yourselves in a dangerous position.

“Those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” 1 Samuel 2:30 Be careful not to withhold from God what is most precious.

Be careful not to receive His grace in vain.

Sadly, some do.

The fifth area in which Divine love and false love differ is this: Divine love is law-abiding.

By this I mean that it always operates in harmony with God's moral law.

It never does wrong in order to accomplish good.

You will never hear true love say: "I know this is not exactly right, but I can accomplish a good result by doing it."

Never.

That reasoning does not come from God.

Righteousness is woven into the very heart of Divine love.

Just as justice and righteousness are the foundation of God's throne, righteousness lies at the center of true love.

Divine love will never sacrifice righteousness for peace, popularity, convenience, or any other advantage.

What, then, is humanity's duty?

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 When the Holy Spirit produces these qualities in a person's life, God looks upon them with approval, and they walk in the light of His favor.

Do justice.

Love mercy.

Walk humbly with God.

Much of our duty is contained in those words.

Do you hear this, you who constantly compromise God's standards?

You who say that Christians must become more like the world in order to win the world?

You who argue that we must lower ourselves to the world's standards in order to bring people to God?

I tell you plainly: all unrighteousness is sin, and what of those who use false love to excuse sins that are destroying countless lives?

What of those who create laws and systems that protect injustice while claiming to act for the common good?

Let us ask a simple question: Is it just to sacrifice one group of people—especially the weaker and more vulnerable—for the supposed benefit of another group?

Is that justice? Is that mercy? And notice that I say supposed benefit. For history repeatedly shows that injustice never produces lasting good. Can one part of society be oppressed without consequences eventually returning upon the oppressor?

Has that ever happened?

Will it ever happen?

Not while God rules His universe.

No amount of clever reasoning can cancel God's moral law.

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”

Galatians 6:7 No one escapes that principle.

The final characteristic of true love that I will mention is this: It perseveres despite ingratitude, opposition, and persecution.

The person who possesses this love seeks the good of others not merely because it is a duty, but because their heart has been transformed.

Their heart is aligned with God, truth, and righteousness.

Because they love what is right, they cannot stop seeking to help others love it as well—even when those people reject, misunderstand, or despise them.

Jesus demonstrated this love perfectly.

Even while suffering on the cross, He prayed: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34 His heart remained committed to bringing humanity back to God.

He never turned back.

His love carried Him all the way to death.

Paul followed his Master's example.

Although some people loved him less the more he loved them, he continued seeking their highest good.

He loved them—not their praise, approval, or admiration.

False love behaves differently.

It quickly grows weary when its efforts are not appreciated.

Its attitude becomes: "I have done enough. The kinder I am, the worse people treat me. I will stop helping until I receive more appreciation."

Why?

Because self-glory is the life of false love.

When gratitude and admiration disappear, false love soon dies.

So which kind of love do you possess, my brother?

My sister?

I once heard of a young and successful businessman who attended a service where he heard straightforward biblical truth.

When someone later asked him what he thought, he shifted uncomfortably and replied: "Well, it was dreadful. If what I heard is true, then I am on my way to hell."

Yet perhaps that realisation was the very beginning of hope for him.

Now let me ask you: Do you possess this Divine love?

Remember, as I said at the beginning, it does not naturally grow in the unrenewed human heart.

If you have not experienced the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, then you must begin there.

No matter how many outward imitations you possess, they cannot replace the love of God.

Do you have it, brother?

Do you have it, sister?

If not, you can receive it today.

Will you seek it?

We were all once without it.

“We all once lived... and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”

Ephesians 2:3 We loved and hated according to selfish interests.

But God renews hearts.

He makes us, in some measure, like Christ Himself.

Of Him it is written: “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” Hebrews 1:9 The more you love righteousness and hate evil, the greater your joy will be, and the stronger your testimony for God.

You will be able to say with David: “I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.” Psalm 40:10 When people truly receive this love, they naturally want to share it.

It overflows.

It cannot remain hidden.

As our Lord said: “The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14 And as Scripture declares: “Many waters cannot quench love.” Song of Solomon 8:7 Have you received this love?

Has it lifted you above your selfish interests?

Or do you still evaluate every opportunity by asking first how it will affect you rather than how it will affect the kingdom of God?

And to you who know that you do not yet possess it: There is hope.

Christ's heart is full of compassion toward you.

He is waiting to pour this love into your soul.

The feast is prepared.

Everything is ready.

Come into His banqueting house.

Rest beneath His banner of love.

And abide there forever.