The distinguishing mark of a Christian is this: confidence in the love of Christ, and a heart that yields its affections to him in return. First, faith sets her seal upon the soul by enabling us to say with the apostle, "Christ loved me and gave himself for me." Then love gives the countersign, stamping upon the heart gratitude and love to Jesus in return. "We love him because he first loved us."

In those grand old ages—the heroic period of the Christian faith—this double mark was clearly seen in all believers in Jesus. They were men who knew the love of Christ and rested upon it as a man leans upon a staff whose trustiness he has tried. But the love they felt toward their Lord was not some quiet emotion hidden in the secret chamber of their souls, spoken of only in private assemblies when they met on the first day of the week to sing hymns to Christ Jesus the crucified.

No! It was a passion of such vehement and all-consuming energy that it was visible in all their actions, spoke in their common talk, and looked out of their eyes even in their commonest glances. Love to Jesus was a flame that fed upon the core and heart of their being—and therefore, from its own force, burned its way into the outer man and shone there. Zeal for the glory of King Jesus was the seal and mark of all genuine Christians.

Because of their dependence upon Christ's love they dared much, and because of their love to Christ they did much. And it is the same now! The children of God are ruled in their inmost powers by love—the love of Christ constrains them. They rejoice that divine love is set upon them. They feel it shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto them. And then, by force of gratitude, they love the Savior with a pure heart, fervently.

My reader, do you love him? Ere you sleep, give an honest answer to a weighty question!