Lately, I have caught myself thinking about how to make things good for those with whom I communicate and have contact. My mind is focused on this. And it works to create this good: to help someone, talk with someone, support someone. There is a special kind of satisfaction in this way of thinking. For me, there is no greater joy than knowing that my friends are happy, love one another, and walk in the Lord.
As I listen to and read your answers, I experience with you the revelations that you share with me and with others. I am learning together with you, and although I have not answered a single lesson, I try not to fall behind you.
Like many of you, I too want to find time to sit down quietly, read the lesson, and consider carefully what is hidden there.
Do not think that I am some radiant super-brother who goes easily through life and loves to talk. I am a sinner who needs the Saviour no less than you do. Although I write about what I possess and what I have experienced, I understand that I still know so little. I esteem you better than myself, and this helps me rejoice in your successes and discoveries.
I also find satisfaction in the fact that we have touched upon the most eternal subject, which throughout all our endless days of life with Christ will delight us with its discoveries and amaze us with its depth. It is impossible to grasp and know all love at once. Like God Himself, it is eternal and infinite in its mystery and wonder. It is great and mighty, like the One Who is Love. We stand with the little buckets of our needs beside the universal ocean of love’s limitless possibilities and dream of filling our feeble vessels with it so that we may understand what agape is. And the most amazing thing is that we succeed. God answers our needs and prayers.
I am so joyful that I can serve you by sharing my experiences and knowledge. What took me years, you can comprehend in a moment and enter into this joy without particular difficulty. There will still be difficulties, but of a different kind, not like mine.
How I long to sit with you face to face, give you what your soul thirsts for, answer questions that remain unanswered, see your smiles, and rejoice in your interest.
The statistics of love are that many are called, but few are chosen. Jesus calls the whole world, but few respond. Of these few, most have no time to grow, while those who go further are fearful and complaining. Among the fearful, some are more curious and move forward, but only a small group among them dares to ask for more. These people receive what they desire, yet only a few of those who receive decide to go still further. As a result, just before the finish line, you look around and wonder whether you have been running in the right direction. But you see the goal and the joyful faces of the victors, and you make one final leap of faith, only to land and make another, and another.
Friends, remember one very important thought that will greatly sustain you in hours of trial. Eternity is worth entering, Eternal life is worth fighting for, and Jesus is worth befriending.
I do not know how much time I have been allotted on this earth, but I know that this brief time has been given to accept the right to Eternal life, which is hidden in the eternal knowledge of Jesus. For many of us, it has already begun, never to end.
Eternal life has its own laws, one of which is called ‘love one another.’ I am determined to live in obedience to this command, and the Lord teaches me what this looks like in practice.
Whenever love is discussed, everyone immediately imagines how it will affect him. Even the world desires to be loved. And when love is defined as the union of mercy and justice, everyone desires to see only mercy shown toward himself and justice toward his enemies. Such egoists we are. But love teaches me to be strict and demanding with myself, my deeds, and my words, and to be generous and forbearing toward other people.
You cannot imagine how interesting it is to clothe my thoughts and knowledge in words of love and then give all of this to you, friends. I know that not everyone will accept it and not everyone will understand, yet it is joyful all the same. I do not consider the time I spend on you and on your well-being to have been wasted. You will be the reward for this labour, and throughout Eternity you will delight me with your smiles and shining eyes. What could be better?
I do not save anyone, and this school does not save anyone. But together we are all learning the love that comes from Jesus Who saves, changes us into the likeness and image of God, and grants us the right to Eternal life in the presence of God.
Love is the guarantee of our salvation. Like a seal, it covers our foreheads and serves as the distinguishing mark of the soldiers in Christ’s army.
If I have love, then I am not as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. Then all my knowledge, faith, and tongues will profit me.
It is far easier, better, and more pleasant to love than to hate. Moreover, you have God’s approval and an inward assurance that this is the right path. And you see what a beautiful condition of mind and way of thinking it is.
In the light of love, all God’s actions become understandable, and you perceive wisdom in His decisions and His foresight of the great misfortunes that would arise if everything were left to take its own course.
When, without seeing a person, I choose love in my relationship with him, then when we meet face to face it is not difficult for me to act in love and do what love prompts me to do. This is a kind of personal Gethsemane, where the chief victories occur before the meetings, battles, and trials begin. If I am already asking for love toward you now, then when I meet you it will be very easy for me to decide to continue loving you, for my heart is already prepared for such an attitude and awaits only an opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit to use me to bless others.
In all of this, I respect your choice and do not expect the same attitude toward me, for I know from experience that everyone needs time to decide, understand, accept, and respond. Not everyone believes that this is genuine, for people are accustomed to deception and inconsistency. The enemy of the soul also introduces his doubts and does not want to release his subjects into the light. He tries to pervert every pure relationship, calling it darkness and lust. Very often, he causes people to see in me the very sins that belong to those who look at me. You listen to people’s assertions and are amazed. And the closer your neighbour is to you, the more subtly he can hurt you if he is led by another spirit. But love forgives all things and endures all things. It continues to love, and this is its distinctive quality. This provokes Satan to intense rage, and he seeks by these very means to induce others to respond to your love. But at the same time, God also influences your neighbour, and even contrary to his own character, he may open himself, let your Jesus enter, accept you, and experience the new birth of beautiful feelings.
Sometimes you do not know what surprise love will bring. But it works miracles and changes everything in life. And all of this happens naturally, for the soul is united with the Creator in love and finds rest. It finds a quiet harbour and does not wish to leave it. This is the very best thing one can possess.
Homework 115
What new things did you learn in this lesson? Has the course of your thoughts and prayers concerning other people changed? Do you think the good news is proclaimed only to the chosen? What do you experience when someone tells you that you are loved? Does it appeal to your heart? State the purpose of your life. What do you expect from the Agape School of Love? During this time, have you experienced having your love answered with judgment and accusations? Please read Luke 14:24; 16:16; Philippians 2:3–5; 4:6; 2 Corinthians 11:29–31; 1 Corinthians 9:26–27; Proverbs 19:11; Psalm 50:23; Isaiah 42:16; and 53:10–11 in the light of this lesson.