Wisdom of the Ages: Perfect Love

by Rev. W. E. Arnold, written in “The Pentecost Herald” on January 12, 1898:

What a wonderful thing is “Perfect Love.”  “Perfect love casteth out fear.”  It banishes all doubts as to our present acceptance with God, dispels all anxiety concerning the future, relieves us of that morbid fear of the world, and fills us with hope and joy and peace.

“PERFECT LOVE” suffereth long and is kind. [It] is not quick to take fire at every little offense. [It] is not hasty to reply to taunts and criticisms. [It] is not eager to show “spunk,” but is meek and gentle, and patient and forbearing.

“PERFECT LOVE” seeketh not her own. Selfishness is the great sin of the world. Every species of evil can be traced back to this source. What is avarice but self-seeking possessions? What is lust but self-seeking gratification? What is wrath but self resenting a supposed injury[?] Perfect love crucifies self, makes us ready to deny ourselves and to sacrifice for the sake of others.

“PERFECT LOVE” is not easily provoked. Sensitiveness, readiness to take offense, irritability, always looking for slights and rebuffs- all these are utterly foreign to perfect love.

“PERFECT LOVE” thinketh no evil. [It] is not ready to impute evil motives to those who differ from us, does not accuse every one of being a child of the devil who can’t just see as we see, is not censorious, suspicious, evil minded.

“PERFECT LOVE” rejoiceth no in iniquity. No, under no circumstances. It does not take pleasure in finding faults and shortcomings in those who oppose us; does not exult over the downfall of one who has fought the “second blessing;” does not say ‘Aha! I told you!’ but weeps over the fallen, and grieves because of the missteps even of an enemy.

FINALLY “Perfect Love” never faileth. It is a well of water; a river; and ocean. “He that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him.” What more can we want? In His presence is fullness of joy. Glory to God in the highest!