Divine Love: The Activity

By: Paul Wilson

From: Love, The Activity of: December 2015

From: Young Christian: Volume 37, 1947

• 2 min. read • grade level: 9

"Jesus of Nazareth... who went about doing good" (Acts 10:38³⁸How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 10:38)).

There is nothing negative about this verse; it does not say, "who did no harm." There was One who, in His pathway through this world of misery and need, was actively engaged in doing good. His love was unwearied and, in spite of rebuffs and even hatred, He "went about doing good." The ungrateful response of those to whom He came is told in the words of the Psalm:

"For My love they are My adversaries.... They have rewarded Me evil for good, and hatred for My love." Psalm 109:4, 5⁴For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. ⁵And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love. (Psalm 109:4‑5).

Still that blessed One went steadily forward "doing good," and at last we read of Him weeping over (not the fact that He was rejected, but) those of that guilty city, because of the terrible judgments that were soon to fall on them (Luke 19:41-44⁴¹And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, ⁴²Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. ⁴³For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, ⁴⁴And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. (Luke 19:41‑44)).

May we, His redeemed ones, who are left in this same world a little longer, be better transcripts of the One to whom we belong—that One who "went about doing good." The needs are great and the "night is far spent." A few verses from the epistles may remind us of our opportunities and privileges:

"Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,... for we ourselves also were sometime foolish, disobedient, deceived... but according to His mercy He saved us" (Titus 3:1-5¹Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, ²To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. ³For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. ⁴But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, ⁵Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:1‑5)).

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Gal. 6:10¹⁰As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10).

We must not, however, disregard any direct word or any principle of Scripture in doing good. Here we need to keep a balance and remember that we must "strive lawfully." Our enemy is very subtle and would entangle us with associations and unequal yokes in our seeking to do good. But, fellow-Christian, if we are really seeking to "redeem the time" (it is fast going), and look to Him for His guidance, we shall find abundant opportunities. Then, shall we not as "royal priests" dispense royal bounty and "show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" ( 1 Pet. 2:9⁹But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9))?

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