22nd General Conference Session
God is love” (1 John 4:8). The plan of redemption is based on love. “Love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:10). The essential principle of the Law is love. Jesus said: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The great commandment of the Law is: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–39). In other words, the entire Bible reveals God’s love in creation and redemption.
True Christians love one another and even their enemies (Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:20, 21). Both the Law and the Gospel are revelation of God’s love for His creatures. John, the beloved disciple, followed the same life of thought: “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother, abideth in the light, ahd there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness” (1 John 2:9–11).
The whole life of Christ on earth was a full revelation of God in behalf of humanity, and before returning to His Father, He left this message: “If a man love me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not My sayings” (John 14:23, 24). “This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. . . . These things I command you, that ye love one another” (John 15:12, 17).
The last message that will finish God’s work on earth, is the revelation of love in the life of God’s children. And as we assemble in general conference capacity, this love is to shine brighter than ever!