Love enlarges the heart, frees it from the bonds of selfishness, and makes us desire others’ welfare as well as our own. Love for our neighbor breathes forth in fervent wishes, that it may be well with him, both in time and to eternity. We are, in every respect, to consider our brethren. True love will make us long that, in every way, they may be benefitted; that they may not want any needful secular comfort and encouragement; especially, that they may be blessed with all spiritual blessings; and, above all, that they may attain eternal happiness and salvation. The apostle’s love vents itself in a prayer for the Corinthians’ temporal prosperity and increase: Now, he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness (2 Corinthians 9:10). So, John, writing to his beloved Gaius, wishes him health and prosperity: Beloved, I wish, above all things, that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth (3 John 2). But, the apostle’s wishes that souls might be sanctified and saved were most vehemently and pathetically expressed: Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved (Romans 10:1); For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all… (Philippians 1:8); My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you (Galatians 4:19). Behold how the apostle loved souls! I do not wonder that he offers his love as a blessing to the church: My love be with you all in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 16:24).
From: “Love Edifies Christ’s Church” by Nathaniel Vincent; reprinted in Free Grace Broadcaster, Issue 206 (Winter, 2008), p. 18.
Nathaniel Vincent (1638-1697) was a nonconformist Puritan preacher born in Cornwall, England. He graduated from Christ Church, Oxford University and became well-known for his sermons preached in London following the Great Fire of 1666.
