is counted dead before Him." Love in the New Testament is no mere
sentiment, for it involves self-sacrifice. It is not limited to emotion;
it expresses itself in energy. It does not evaporate in feeling; it
expresses itself in fact. "Love is of God," for "God is love"; and the
Apostle in praying this prayer asks for the supreme gift of their lives.

The measure of the gift is noticeable--"Increase and abound in love." The
"increase" has to do with their inner life, their hearts being more and
more enlarged in capacity to possess this love; the "abounding" has to do
with their outward life, and points to the overflow of that love towards
others.

Consider, too, the _objects_ of this love--"Toward one another, and toward
all men." There was, first of all, the special love to be shown toward
Christians, according to the "new commandment" (John xiii. 34). In the New
Testament the emphasis is laid again and again upon brother-love, or love
of the brethren, and the brotherhood. This was something entirely new in
the world's history--a new tie or bond, the union of hearts in Christ
Jesus. To see how these Christians loved one another was a proof of this
new affection based upon the new commandment. But, further, their love was
to extend beyond their fellow-Christians--even to "all men," just as we
have in St. Peter's Epistle, in that long chain of graces, first, love of
the brethren, and then, love towards all (2 Pet. i. 7).

And yet it may perhaps be asked, How is it possible for us to love
everybody? What about those who are not lovely and lovable--how can we
love these? It may help us to remember that there is a clear distinction
between _loving_ and _liking_. While it is impossible to _like_ everybody,
it is assuredly possible to love everybody. A mother loves her wayward
son, but she cannot like him, for there is practically nothing "alike"
between them. In the same way we may love with the love of compassion if
we cannot love with the love of complacency, and thus fulfil our Lord's
command and realise the answer to the Apostle's prayers. This, we may be
perfectly certain, is the supreme thing, and our Christianity will count
for nothing in the eyes of men if it is not permeated and energised
through and through with active, whole-hearted, Christ-like love.

Consider the _ultimate purpose_ he expresses--"To the end He may stablish
your hearts unblameable in holiness." The love for which he prays is to be
expressed in h