HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div
“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8
What do I owe my neighbour? What are his rights and claims, of which I must never be oblivious?
I certainly owe him the truth. In his society, I ought to be free from all ulterior motives, all reservations, all exaggerations, all lies, whether they are black or white. I should ever speak honestly and fairly with my friend — as I would desire him to speak with me.
I owe him graciousness too. If I must be angry at times, I ought never to let the sun go down upon my anger. I should harbour no sour and sullen resentments. Nay, nay, in his hour of need, I should hasten to cheer and comfort his broken spirit and wounded heart.
And I owe him help. My sympathy must not be a beautiful sentiment only, an idle emotion of my soul. It must travel beyond tender phrases and pitiful looks and the “droppings of warm tears.” I ought to work and to give, to minister and to sacrifice.
Then, also, I certainly owe him inspiration. For his sake, as well as for my own — all that is demoralizing and destructive must be far from my speech and my conduct. I must be noble-minded and holy. He must have from me that which uplifts — and never that which degrades.
Above all, I owe him Godlike love — nothing short of this, nothing poorer than this. I am to be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving, Paul says, even as God in Christ forgave me. I am to resemble that magnificent, sublime, unearthly Pattern of love. “As I have loved you, so you must love one another!” John 13:34
My neighbour makes great demands on me — may I have daily grace to fulfil them.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” Matthew 7:12
Discover more from THE MYSTICAL ORDER MINISTRIES
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
