III. Greets with expansive generosity all genuine lovers of Christ.—“Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen” (ver. 24). The overflow of Divine grace submerges the barriers of sects and effaces the distinctions of a selfish and pretentious bigotry. Sincere love to Christ opens the heart to the richest endowments of grace, and blends all hearts that glow with a kindred affection. If we love Christ, we love one another, we love His work, His Word, and are eager to obey Him in all things He commands. We may not agree in a uniformity of creeds, but we reach a higher union when our hearts are mingled in the capacious alembic of a Christ-like love. The benediction of grace to all who love Jesus is answered and confirmed by an appropriate Amen. “Amen” under the law was answered to the curses, but not to the blessings (Deut. xxvii. 15–26). Every particular curse must have an “Amen.” But in the next chapter, where the blessings follow, there is no “Amen” affixed to them (Deut. xxviii. 2–12). But it is otherwise in the Gospel. To the blessings there is an “Amen,” but not to the curses. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. xvi. 22)—a fearful curse; but there is no “Amen” to that. “Grace be with all them that love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity”: there is an “Amen” to that.
Lessons.—1. Christianity is freighted with blessings for the race. 2. It has special blessings for present need. 3. It points men to God as the true source of all blessing.
GERM NOTES OF THE VERSES.
Ver. 23. Elements of Religious Comfort.—The apostle prays that, with faith, there may be peace and love.
I. Faith captivates the soul into obedience to the Gospel by giving efficacy to its precepts, examples, and doctrines. Where faith operates, love will appear, and peace will follow.
II. Love produces peace.—1. Inward peace. It extinguishes malice, envy, hatred, wrath, revenge, every unfriendly passion.
2. Social peace.—Christians will be careful not to give offence, either by real injuries or unnecessary differences. They will be slow to take offence.
III. Love brings religious comfort.—Love is comfortable in its immediate feelings and in its pacific influence. It brings comfort to the soul as it is an evidence of godly sincerity. If we would enjoy the comfort, we must maintain the comfort of religion.—Lathrop.
Ver. 24. The Christian’s Truest Test and Excellence.—Other things may be required to complete the character of the Christian; but without love to Christ there can be no Christian at all. It is the Master-spirit which must animate and enliven the whole combination; and in whomsoever this Spirit prevails we are entitled and enjoined to welcome that person as a disciple.
I. Consider the love of Christ as a duty we owe to Himself.—1. Bring to your remembrance His personal excellences. 2. Consider the great and glorious object of all He did and endured—the everlasting happiness of human souls.