(J. R. Miller, "When the Song Begins" 1905)
"Having loved His own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end." John 13:1
A friend is one who loves—and does not cease to love. Christ having loved His people—loves them unto the end.
One quality of true friendship, is trust. What could be more sacred than this comfort of feeling safe with a person, absolutely safe? That is the kind of friend Jesus is. You may always feel safe with Him. You may confess all your sins to Him. You may tell Him all your faults and your failures—how you denied Him the other night, how you failed to be true to Him, and all the evil thoughts of your heart; and He will be just as tender and gracious—as if you never had sinned! He loves unto the end!
None of us would want to have our hearts photographed, and the picture held up before the eyes of our neighbors! We would not want even our best friends to see a full transcript of our secret life—what goes on within us: the jealousies, the envyings, the bitter feelings, the impure thoughts, the meannesses, the selfishnesses, the suspicions, the doubts and fears!
"Having loved His own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end." John 13:1
A friend is one who loves—and does not cease to love. Christ having loved His people—loves them unto the end.
One quality of true friendship, is trust. What could be more sacred than this comfort of feeling safe with a person, absolutely safe? That is the kind of friend Jesus is. You may always feel safe with Him. You may confess all your sins to Him. You may tell Him all your faults and your failures—how you denied Him the other night, how you failed to be true to Him, and all the evil thoughts of your heart; and He will be just as tender and gracious—as if you never had sinned! He loves unto the end!
None of us would want to have our hearts photographed, and the picture held up before the eyes of our neighbors! We would not want even our best friends to see a full transcript of our secret life—what goes on within us: the jealousies, the envyings, the bitter feelings, the impure thoughts, the meannesses, the selfishnesses, the suspicions, the doubts and fears!
Yet Christ sees all this unworthy inner life—He knows
the worst that is in us—and loves us still! We do not need to hide
our weaknesses from Him. He never withdraws His love. We may trust Him
absolutely and forever!
"Having
loved His own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end." John
13:1
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